The government announces changes at child welfare institutions – NRK Norway – Overview of news from various parts of the country

Children under the age of 13 become drug addicts at the institutions that are supposed to help them.

In the Instukids project, NRK has put a spotlight on substance abuse in Norwegian child welfare institutions in the form of a larger series of articles and a Brennpunkt documentary.

Of 100 young people in child welfare institutions around the country, half say that they got drunk daily while they lived there.

Several also tell of sexual exploitation of adults while they are under the care of child protection services.

As early as 2022, the government appointed a committee to assess the scope of future child welfare institutions. They put forward 50 specific proposals in autumn 2023.

The government is now announcing concrete measures and new legislative proposals to improve the quality of the Norwegian children’s services. The reform will be put forward in the spring of 2025.

Among other things, institutions must not themselves provide healthcare treatment or substance abuse treatment.

– The stories of Mathilde, Ronja and Sara tell their story about why something has to be different, says State Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Care Ellen Rønning-Arnesen (Ap) at a press conference on Thursday.

She believes the stories are a clear message that something must change.

– DThese are some of our most vulnerable young people. At the same time, these are some of the toughest, strongest children we have, who act completely human to protect themselves.

– It is our job at every stage to give them the tools they need to manage their lives.

Children’s Minister Kjersti Toppe (Sp) acknowledges that the institutions have systemic challenges which mean that the help they receive is not sufficient.

– The children have good professionals around them, but experience frequent moves and interruptions in treatment. At the same time, their challenges and life situations tend to become more difficult, she says.

– Children have lost their lives after the public has assumed responsibility for them. The services they received were not always sound..

The strategic plan contains a total of six objectives:

• More children in institutions will receive help under municipal auspices
• Children must receive an institutional offer that gives them peace of mind and adapts to their needs and resources
• Children in institutions must experience good care, development support and protection
• They must also receive good health care and a school offer that promotes coping and future opportunities
• Children with substance abuse problems must receive safe and holistic help
• Children with large and complex needs must receive coordinated help and experience safe transitions.

The government will also work for municipal housing measures as an alternative to institutions for some children.