Child Welfare Services

The focus of the course is on social work with children, youth and families in the context of Child Protection (CP). The course offers students the opportunity to understand and analyse the national and international legal and political conditions of CP practice. We pay particular attention to the organization, role and mandate of the Norwegian CP services. The course is also designed to develop the students’ skills in practical decision-making processes and gives an insight into the provision of services for children and families in need. Students are trained to develop their skills in deliberative decision-making, emphasising the importance of children’s and parents’ involvement.

Knowledge
The candidate is able to understand
• the roles of public, private and non-profit organizations in safeguarding children and the tasks of various stakeholders
• knowledge of the Norwegian Child Protection Ac and children's rights
• the role of family in children’s individual growth and development and in the provision of informal social care and support
• knowledge of child development and the social construction of childhood
• knowledge of child maltreatment
• challenges related to values, attitudes and expectations in relation to family life and CP work, with particular reference to cultural and normative sensitivity
Skills
The student
• critically analyses how social policy and the organisation of CP shape the development of practices, services and methods
• demonstrates an ability to incorporate ethical and legal considerations into child protection practice
• analyses the role of family and other informal social relationships in fostering and maintaining children’s wellbeing and identity
• identifies children and families in need of child protection services
• communicates with children, youth and parents about their everyday life and involve them in decision-making processes
• demonstrates beginning level skills of writing CP assessments, applying relevant research, theory and legislative frameworks and approaches
General competence
The student
• critically analyses the ethical dimensions of child protection and identifies ethical dilemmas in practical assessment and helping processes
• recognizes the complexity associated with child protection decision-making, including the influence of their own and the services users experiences and values
• recognizes the need for interdisciplinary collaboration

The course is conducted through lectures, workshops, practice skill development, reading, writing and group work focused on case analysis. Teaching approaches are designed to encourage active learning and the development of critical analysis.