BRÚIN – Child | Counselling | Resources

Brúin is a new approach to services for nursery and primary school children in Hafnarfjörður, which has been in development since late 2016. This extensive project is about finding ways to improve services for nursery- and primary school children and their families, but in recent years, professionals and parents have expressed concerns that there is not enough targeted support for children and adolescents with social, educational and/or mental health issues in Iceland.

In autumn 2018, this new approach was launched, with integration and enhanced services being delivered through solution teams that work with both phases of education. The common thread in BRÚNNI is the welfare and quality of life of children and their families, with an emphasis on providing increased services at an earlier stage and enhancing collaboration between professional fields and schools. The solution team includes representatives from nursery and primary schools, a psychologist/special education officer from the education and leisure services, and a specialist from BRÚNNI. This is a comprehensive support service for children and their families. „In a solution 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. The problem is thus identified at an earlier stage, and an attempt is made to prevent a deterioration by immediately utilising appropriate resources. Furthermore, efforts are made to reduce waiting lists for diagnosis and the need for child protection involvement by intervening earlier and providing this early intervention service." says Hulda Björk Finnsdóttir, project manager and one of the solution team's specialists. The project is being developed with seven nursery schools and three primary schools in the town, but the working method will later be implemented in all nursery and primary schools in Hafnarfjörður. This is not a temporary project, but a change in working practice in the provision of services to children and families by the City of Hafnarfjörður, which is being developed and implemented in collaboration with all relevant parties. 

Leading the project for the City of Hafnarfjörður are Rannveig Einarsdóttir, Director of Family Services; Fanney D. Halldórsdóttir, Director of Education and Leisure Services (left); and Hulda Björk Finnsdóttir, Project Manager (right). See picture.