Child welfare, application of the law and society

The course leads to the National partial examination in the application of law in child welfare professional work. The course therefore provides students with in-depth knowledge of legal method, including the use of central sources of law in child protection, based on the Child Protection Act and the Public Administration Act. When learning the legal method and in the review of central legal sources, practical examples from the field of child welfare, are used.

Child welfare is rooted in basic societal values ​​that are expressed in different historical eras in different welfare regimes. Society's perceptions of a good childhood and good care for children and young people have an impact on the legislation that regulates the child protection agency's mandate. The subject will therefore also give the students knowledge about the social mission of child protection and how it is safeguarded. Particular emphasis will be placed on giving the students insight into some key connections between social development and child protection in a historical and contemporary perspective.

Knowledge - The student has:

• advanced knowledge of connections between the development of child welfare services, social conditions and societal changes
• in-depth knowledge of the legal method and how to proceed in order to be able to take a position on child welfare law issues as part of the practice of the profession
• in-depth knowledge of the Public Administration Act and the Child Welfare Act

Skills - The student can:

• independently identify and analyze legal issues in specific cases based on legal methodology
• identify and manage the requirements for the legal basis in administrative decisions in the child welfare service to ensure the rights of children and parents

General competence - The student can:

• communicate around complex legal and professional issues within the professional field
• convey extensive independent work and master the subject area's forms of expression

The course consists of lectures, various forms of group work, self-study and work with practical cases.