Finspångs kommun
Concern for a child
What are your responsibilities if you work with children, and how should you act if you suspect a child is being harmed? Here you will find information if you are concerned about a child’s safety or wellbeing.
Emergency help
If a child is in immediate danger, you must contact the police without delay by calling 112. The police are always required to notify the social services when a child may be at risk.
If you are unsure
If you are uncertain about whether to make a report, you can call and consult with the Social Services Office without naming the family.
Many professionals are legally obligated to report concerns
According to the Social Services Act, anyone working with children, as well as healthcare personnel and police officers, must report to the local social services if they suspect that a child or young person is being harmed.
This obligation applies regardless of whether the person works in a public or private organisation. These professionals must also assist social services by providing information relevant to the investigation.
How to file a concern report
If you suspect that a child is being harmed, you should contact the Social Services Office by phone at 0122 850 00 or by submitting a form via the municipality’s e-service. You can also hand in the form directly at the municipal building’s reception.
Investigations concerning children and young people
When social services are informed that a child or young person may need support or protection, a social worker will carry out an investigation in collaboration with the family.
The investigation involves collecting information to assess whether the child or family needs support. A preliminary assessment is often done first to determine whether a full investigation is necessary.
Once the investigation has begun, the social worker will speak with the child’s legal guardians, the child, and other relevant individuals and authorities. The goal is to work closely with both the child and the guardians.
According to the Social Services Act (SoL), the investigation must be completed within four months.
How an investigation is conducted
When social services receive information that a child may be in need of support or protection, a social worker carries out an investigation in collaboration with the family.
To assess the child’s need for support and/or protection, the social worker talks with the guardians and the child. Sometimes, the social worker may need to collect information from the child’s preschool, school or healthcare services. Social services may also contact people suggested by the family who know the child and guardians well. If there have been previous investigations, those records may also be used.
The most common reasons for initiating an investigation are:
- If a person or the family themselves contact social services and apply for support
- If someone submits a report under Chapter 14, Section 1 of the Social Services Act and social services assess that there is reason for concern
An investigation must be completed within four months and concludes with an assessment based on the collected information. Based on this assessment, a decision is made on whether the child and guardians will receive support through social services and, if so, what kind of support. The goal is for the parents, the child and social services to agree on what kind of help is needed.
The aim of an investigation is always to reach a joint decision between parents, child and social services about what is best for the child. An investigation may lead to different outcomes:
- If the investigation shows that the child’s needs are being met, it is closed with no further action.
- If unmet needs are identified and the guardians agree to receive support, appropriate measures may be offered.
- If unmet needs are identified but the guardians do not consent, social services can either close the case or apply for care under the Care of Young Persons Act (LVU) via the Administrative Court. To apply for LVU, there must be a clear risk to the child’s health or development if their needs are not met.
Support measures may include counselling, family support, contact person, contact family, foster care or residential care (HVB home). The decision depends on the child’s needs and the guardians’ ability to meet them.
At Finspång Municipality’s social services, we want all families to feel respected and included. If you are dissatisfied with how your case is handled or with your caseworker, you can speak to the team leader within the Individual and Family Services Unit. You may also contact the Health and Social Care Inspectorate (IVO), which oversees the work of social services.
All contacts with the social worker are documented in a case journal. If you are directly concerned, are a guardian, or are over 15 years old, you have the right to read what has been recorded. If you need help understanding what is written, you can receive support. The information is confidential and may not be shared without permission. Other authorities with a reporting duty are obligated to share information with social services during an ongoing investigation.
Related information
Contact
Social omsorg
Socialtjänstens mottagning
0122-850 00
socialtjanst@finspang.se
Socialtjänstens mottagning har telefontid för privatpersoner måndag-fredag kl. 9-11 och kl. 13-15. Lunchstängt kl. 12-13. För professionella och andra myndigheter har vi öppet vardagar kl 8-16. Digital orosanmälan för barn och unga finns i e-tjänsten. Övrig tid: Kontakta socialjouren i Norrköping på 011-15 22 83 under kvällstid och helger kl. 17-08.
Bergslagsvägen 13-15, 612 80 Finspång