Course content

The subject deals with the complex professional and ethical assessments that the municipal child welfare services adhere to within the framework of the legislation.

Students learn to assess how the situation of the child can impose different risks to the child's health and development through child protection report and investigation.

Students also learn about communication with vulnerable children and young people, as well as their families and networks.

The course integrates theoretical knowledge, knowledge from practice and knowledge from children and parents point of view.

Learning outcome

Knowledge - The student has knowledge:

• of the Act on Child Welfare Services and the mandate of the Child Welfare Service, with special focus on the processing of concerns, surveys and child welfare assessments and justifications of measures in the best interest of the child
• about children and parents' rights during child welfare service cases
• about neglect, violence, abuse, challenging living conditions and substance abuse in families and how this might impact children's development and health
• about children's needs, and risk and protective factors - knowledge about how to communicate and cooperate with children and parents in a vulnerable life situation, as well as the use of various aids to support communication with children
• about conflict, power and powerlessness in the investigative phase of a child welfare case - knowledge about digital tools relevant to the child welfare service

Skills - The student:

• apply legislation and make a professional child welfare clarification of notification to the child welfare service and the investigation phase'
• identify and assess the needs and care situation of children and young people
• conduct professional conversations with children, parents and theirs network to clarify the child's overall life and care situation
• use aids and activities that can facilitate conversations with children in an investigation phase in a child welfare case
• show minority and cultural sensitivity and be able to reflect on ethical dilemmas and child welfare issues treatment of a child welfare case in the child welfare service

General competence - The student can:

• investigate, analyze, document children's reported care situation, and give decisions and measures a professional justification during the investigation phase
• plan and effectuate assignments in the municipal child welfare service in line with professional and ethical requirements
• communicate with children and their families and networks in different child welfare contexts during the report and inquiry phase
• handle relevant ethical and critical reflections on child welfare and private attitudes regarding upbringing and care

Learning methods and activities

Lectures, self-study, topic based group work, practical activities related to communication and practice studies.

Compulsory assignments

• 80 % Attendance in Team-based groupassignment
• Written assignment
• Internship

Specific conditions

Recommended previous knowledge

The subject builds on the programmes previous subjects.

Required previous knowledge

The course has study rights requirements. This means that the course is reserved for students admitted to the programme Bachelor in child protection and child welfare at NTNU.

Course materials

Course materiel will be published in Blackboard at the start of the course.

Credit reductions