Well-being Day held in Hafnarfjörður

The Brúarinnar in Hafnarfjörður's procedures taken into consideration in new welfare laws

Since autumn 2018, the City of Hafnarfjörður has developed and implemented a procedure, Brown, which aims to strengthen support and services in the town's nursery and primary schools and to enhance the quality of life for children, young people and their families. The procedure and its implementation in Hafnarfjörður were, among other things, taken into consideration when drawing up New legislation on the integration of services for the well-being of children which were adopted by the Althingi on 11 June 2021, with effect from 1 January 2022. Implementation and success of the Bridge was among the topics of discussion at the Farsældardagur, which was held for the first time today in Hásölum in Hafnarfjarðarkirkja.

^{This unique group, and many others like them, have built bridges in Hafnarfjörður and implemented procedures that provide increased services at an earlier stage, and enhance families' access to appropriate, integrated services without barriers. The Integration Team of Hafnarfjörður works closely with professionals and staff at schools and institutions in Hafnarfjörður.} 

Emphasis placed on providing increased services at earlier stages

The aim of the new Act on the integration of services for the well-being of children is that families in need have access to appropriate, integrated services without barriers. Through the Bridge's procedures, the City of Hafnarfjörður has been systematically working towards such solutions and approaches for the past four years. Through Brú, the emphasis has been on providing increased services at an earlier stage, with the involvement of bridge teams whose role is to assess a child's situation and seek joint solutions to support the child and their family. In a bridge team, a child's learning, behaviour, development and/or well-being is discussed with the parents' consent, and appropriate resources are mobilised to intervene earlier in the child's difficulties or circumstances. Initially, the Brúarinnar procedure was implemented in seven nurseries and three primary schools, but during the 2020-2021 school year, all nurseries and primary schools had become involved in the development and implementation of the procedure. 

^{On Wellbeing Day, around 150 professionals in the field of education and children's affairs came together, both from Hafnarfjörður and from numerous partners in matters concerning children and families.} 

A new forum for professionals on the well-being of children and young people

The Well-being Day in Hafnarfjörður is a new forum for discussion and education for professionals in the municipality, where work continues on further integrating the municipality's services for children and young people, innovation, and improvements in the field. Around 150 professionals in the field of education and children's affairs gathered at the Well-being Day, both from Hafnarfjörður and from numerous partners in children's and family matters, to discuss and listen to presentations, etc.a. on the implementation and success of The Bridge, well-being in the new Ministry of Education and Children's Affairs, the new Children and Family Centre, the implementation of a child-friendly municipality in Hafnarfjörður, comprehensive services for disabled children and the role of the health service.

^{Success Day was both a harvest festival and a vision for the future.} 

The Well-being Day was both a celebration of achievements and a vision for the future, where the journey so far in integrating services for children was reviewed, the council's position was mapped out, and a look was taken at the future in light of changes and developments in the environment and society.