Best Practice Fair In Prague 6th & 7th of December 2012 Vulnerable Children and families in Denmark My presentation  A brief presentation on what we do for Children and Families in general  What We do And How We Do It in the Entire System of Care for Vulnerable Child and Family 1

Best Practice Fair In Prague 6th & 7th of December 2012 Vulnerable Children and families in Denmark Denmark – administrative levels:  State The Ministry of Social Affairs and Integration  5 Regions Hospitals – both Somatic and psychiatric Very specialized institutions  98 Municipalities Social Services Office Childrens & Family centers Nursery Kindergarden Schools Other institutions 2

Best Practice Fair In Prague 6th & 7th of December 2012 Vulnerable Children and families in Denmark The general system  Support and counseling Before the birth of a child: Doctor Midwife childbirth preparation After birth Doctor Helth nurse A program of examinations and vaccinations 3

Best Practice Fair In Prague 6th & 7th of December 2012 Vulnerable Children and families in Denmark The general system  Parental leave and economy – focusing the needs of the child Mother Father Shared between mother and father 1 or 2 days off from work, when the child is ill (till 12) 4

Best Practice Fair In Prague 6th & 7th of December 2012 Vulnerable Children and families in Denmark The general system  Economy – child allowance For all children age 0 – 17 years For children living with one parent + for each child + extra for the first child 5

Best Practice Fair In Prague 6th & 7th of December 2012 Vulnerable Children and families in Denmark The general system  The age from 1 – 16 years Nursery/daycare years old: --> 68% Kindergarden years old: --> 98% School - Next 10 years 6

Best Practice Fair In Prague 6th & 7th of December 2012 Vulnerable Children and families in Denmark System of Care for Vulnerable Child and Family Social Service in the Municipality Who can point out, that a child may have problems?  The family it self  Any citizen  Public servants/profesionals 7

Best Practice Fair In Prague 6th & 7th of December 2012 Vulnerable Children and families in Denmark System of Care for Vulnerable Child and Family What are the main principles in caretaking of vulnerable children?  To provide same possibilities for them as for those of their peers  The support must be given at an early stage and coherently 8

Best Practice Fair In Prague 6th & 7th of December 2012 Vulnerable Children and families in Denmark System of Care for Vulnerable Child and Family How? – always focusing on the child but also on collaboration with the family  The Social Service Office starts an investigation, when a problem is reported by the family or others  Different methods focusing Child Family Network  An excampel: The ICS triangle - Integrated Children’s System 9

Best Practice Fair In Prague 6th & 7th of December 2012 Vulnerable Children and families in Denmark The Child’s Velfare The child’s developmental needs Parenting skills Family conditions – family surroundings  Helth matters  School matters and learning  Leisure time and friendships  Development and behavior o Emotional and behavioral development o Identity and Independence o Social appearance  Family – family relationships  Basic care  Safety aspects  Emotional warmth  Stimulation  Guidance and setting boundaries  stability  Family history and functioning  Extended family and others in the family network  Housing  Employment  Finances  The family’s relationships to the broader community o Social integration o Local community resources Tool for examining the child’s situation

Best Practice Fair In Prague 6th & 7th of December 2012 Vulnerable Children and families in Denmark System of Care for Vulnerable Child and Family How?  The Social Service Office can get further information by Asking for written statements from Nursery, Kindergarten, school and other professionals even from birth hospital Having the child examined by doctors, psychologist, psychiatrist or ambulant in a mental-/somatic hospital Interviewing the parents Interviewing/talking to/seeing the child

Best Practice Fair In Prague 6th & 7th of December 2012 Vulnerable Children and families in Denmark System of Care for Vulnerable Child and Family The Social Service Office makes a plan of action containing:  In a form – what’s the basis for the conclusions  The conclusion Sort of effort to be used to help the kid Timetable and a revise date Guidance for the parents on possibilities to complain if they don't agree The social committee (if too little, too much or wrong sort of assistance) Child and Youth committee (Accommodation outside of home)

Best Practice Fair In Prague 6th & 7th of December 2012 Vulnerable Children and families in Denmark System of Care for Vulnerable Child and Family Where? What?  The child at home specialized support such as counseling, educational or other support ambulant treatment of the child (psychological, psychiatrically) family treatment Economy or goods Accommodation outside the home (approx total = 1% of all children) College/own small apartment4% Boarding school3% A 24-hour Institution – might have own school22% Foster care54% Socio-educational residence15% other2%

Best Practice Fair In Prague 6th & 7th of December 2012 Vulnerable Children and families in Denmark Authorization and Surveillance. Costs for Municipality  24-hour Institution Municipality or region. Fixed budget to fixed number of kids  Socio-educational residence (small private institutions) Municipality or region. Fixed price per kid.  Foster care Network foster family(family or another well-known grown up) o The municipality, where the child comes from. Normally no salary Ordinary foster family o Both municipalities. Salary and costs Specialized fosterfamilies (2011) o Both municipalities. Salary and costs

T Best Practice Fair In Prague 6th & 7th of December 2012 Vulnerable Children and families in Denmark Trends:  Fewer children are placed in care away from home 2007: – 2011: new placements  Fewer children are placed in 24-hour institutions 2007: 36% – 2011: 28%  More children in fostercare: 2007: 25% – 2011: 36%

Best Practice Fair In Prague 6th & 7th of December 2012 Vulnerable Children and families in Denmark Relevant Danish links – in English: Ministry of Social Affairs and Integration :  Main site:  On children and families:  Research-based online education for orphan care-givers and their leaders/supervisors My organisation: