{"id":14152,"date":"2020-02-11T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-02-11T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hafnarfjordur.is\/viljum-vinna-med-foreldrum\/"},"modified":"2022-10-25T09:02:45","modified_gmt":"2022-10-25T09:02:45","slug":"we-want-to-work-with-parents","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hafnarfjordur.is\/en\/viljum-vinna-med-foreldrum\/","title":{"rendered":"We want to work with parents"},"content":{"rendered":"

Role child protection<\/a> is to ensure that children living in unacceptable conditions, or children whose health and development are endangered, receive the necessary assistance. Child protection seeks to strengthen families in their parenting role and to apply measures to protect individual children where appropriate. The town newspaper Hafnfir\u00f0ingur <\/a> Met Helena Unnarsd\u00f3ttir, Head of Department Child protection at the City of Hafnarfj\u00f6r\u00f0ur<\/a> , where 11 people work on these important and demanding tasks. <\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201eEveryone has a duty to report to child protection services if they suspect neglect, abuse or poor treatment of children. People should allow themselves to be a little curious about the welfare of children and the conditions in which they live. It strengthens the case if we receive reports from different sources. We operate in accordance with the law and we don't resort to measures unless we have investigated the matter, and we always try the least intrusive options first. It all starts with reports, which we are required to assess within seven days.\u201c<\/em> says Helena, meaning that a decision is then made on whether to investigate the matter further. If not, parents receive a letter stating that a report has been received but that there was no reason to take any further action, as some reports are not investigated. <\/p>\n

Treatment plan and advice<\/strong><\/p>\n

The survey is not to take longer than three months. \u201eWe usually start by speaking to the parents and getting their position on the referral. We also speak with the children and assess the home situation. If the assessment reveals a deficiency in the children's living conditions, a case management plan is drawn up for approximately 3-6 months, specifying the resources intended to support the parents and children. Examples of such resources include supervision in the home, where parents are guided on, for example, establishing a routine, motivation, boundaries and finances, etc.\u201c<\/em> says Helena, adding that personal mentors are often available to act as a \u201ebig sibling\u201c and introduce the children to new hobbies or interests. Sometimes, support families are needed to broaden the children's horizons or give the parents a break, for one or two weekends a month. Helena notes that good support families are always needed. <\/p>\n

Also offered are psychological interviews, family therapy, parenting courses such as PMTO, MST which is a multi-systemic therapy for children with at-risk behaviour, treatment and assessment of adolescents, and aftercare. \u201eIf things go well, cases can often be closed afterwards. If all else fails, a child is placed in temporary foster care, usually with the parents\u201c consent. The aim is always for the child to return home unless they are placed for permanent foster care, but often children are fostered with close relatives and an assessment of them is carried out beforehand.\" <\/em><\/p>\n

Often great progress<\/strong><\/p>\n

In 2019, there were around 1,100 notifications; often the same incidents and the same children. At present, child protection has 350-360 cases under way, and each member of staff has 30-40 cases on their caseload. Helena says the job is varied and challenging, but also extremely rewarding. \u201eWe often see great progress and miracles happen. People should trust the child protection services because we are, first and foremost, supporting parents and children. Separating families and removing children from their parents is a absolute last resort.\u201c <\/em>says Helena in conclusion.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n