The child welfare service is a public service in Norway designed to ensure that all children have a safe upbringing. For many immigrants, the child welfare service is unfamiliar or misunderstood. This creates uncertainty and sometimes fear. This guide explains what the child welfare service actually does, what rights you have as a parent, and what you should know for the Samfunnskunnskapsprøven. The Child Welfare Act applies to all children living in Norway — regardless of nationality. The service is first and foremost a support service. The vast majority of measures involve guidance and assistance, not removing children from their parents. Here you will find an honest and practical overview of the entire system, from concern reports to support measures.
What the child welfare service is and how it protects children
The child welfare service is a municipal service available in every Norwegian municipality. Its main task is to help children and families who need support. The law states that the child welfare service must ensure that children living in conditions that may harm their health or development receive help at the right time.
The current Child Welfare Act entered into force on 1 January 2023, replacing the previous act from 1992. From 1 January 2026, further amendments also came into effect through the so-called quality improvement initiative in child welfare, which sets stricter requirements for competence and follow-up. A central principle is that the best interests of the child must always be the deciding factor. This means that all decisions are based on what is best for the child, not for the parents or the system.
The child welfare service must also take into account the child's ethnic, cultural, linguistic, and religious background. This is enshrined in the Child Welfare Act § 1-8. If you have a different cultural background, the child welfare service is obliged to understand and respect this in its assessment. The child welfare service must, as far as possible, cooperate with the family.
In 2024, around 42,400 children and young people received measures from the child welfare service in Norway, according to SSB. Most of these were voluntary support measures. Removal of a child from their home only happens in the most serious cases. Contact the child welfare service in your municipality if you have questions — they have a duty to advise you.
When does someone file a concern report with the child welfare service
A concern report is a notification to the child welfare service that someone is worried about a child. Any private individual can submit such a report. Public employees — for example teachers, doctors, and nursery staff — have a mandatory reporting obligation. They are legally required to notify the child welfare service if they suspect serious neglect.
The child welfare service must review the report within one week. They then assess whether there are grounds to open an investigation. An investigation can last up to three months, and in some cases six months. During this time, you have the right to give your account and to see the documents in the case.
It is important to understand that a concern report does not mean you have done something wrong. Many reports do not lead to any measures at all. Some reports are closed during the initial review. In 2024, an investigation was opened for 66 out of every 1,000 children who had themselves immigrated to Norway, according to Bufdir. For most families, the investigation ends with the case being closed, or the family being offered voluntary assistance.
Cultural differences can sometimes lead to misunderstandings. Some parents are accustomed to different norms around child-rearing from their home country. In Norway, the use of physical punishment against children is prohibited — this applies to everyone, regardless of background. If you are unsure about Norwegian rules on child-rearing, it is always better to ask. You can contact the child welfare service anonymously for guidance. You may also read our guide on the Samfunnskunnskapsprøven and what it covers for broader context.
What support measures the child welfare service can offer families
The child welfare service has many different measures available, and most are based on voluntary participation. This means that parents themselves agree to the help. Support measures are the most common form of assistance and can be tailored to the family's specific situation and needs.
Examples of support measures include:
- Advice and guidance on child-rearing
- A support contact or respite home for the child
- Financial support for leisure activities
- Family counselling sessions
- Help with housing or a nursery place
The goal is always to help the family so that the child can continue to live at home. The child welfare service must try the least intrusive measures first. This is called the principle of the least intrusive intervention. Removal of a child from their home is a last resort and requires a decision from the Child Welfare and Health Board.
Figures from SSB show that the number of children receiving child welfare measures has decreased in recent years. In 2024, there were almost 4 per cent fewer children with active measures compared with the previous year. This means the child welfare service is increasingly focusing on prevention and early assistance.
If the child welfare service offers support measures, you have the right to take part in shaping the measure. You also have the right to refuse — except in cases where the board issues a mandatory order. Always ask for written information about which measures are proposed and what they involve.
Rights of parents and children in a child welfare case
The Child Welfare Act gives parents clear rights throughout the entire process. You have the right to access the case documents, the right to give your account, and the right to be notified before the child welfare service makes a decision. These rights apply regardless of whether you are a Norwegian citizen or not.
You are entitled to a free lawyer if the child welfare service refers the case to the Child Welfare and Health Board. The board will appoint a lawyer for you if you do not choose one yourself. This legal aid is completely free of charge.
The child welfare service has a duty to cooperate with you and to treat you with respect. They must facilitate the involvement of the child's family and network. The best interests of the child is the overriding principle in the law — all decisions are based on what benefits the child most. This principle is rooted in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Children who are capable of forming their own views have the right to be heard. The child may speak with the child welfare service without parental consent. Children over the age of 15 have independent party rights. The law also requires the child welfare service to take into account the child's cultural and linguistic background and to provide an interpreter when needed. From 2021, the age limit for continuation of child welfare measures was raised from 23 to 25, giving young adults more time to become independent.
If you disagree with the child welfare service's assessment, you can appeal. Decisions on support measures can be appealed to the county governor. Decisions on removal of a child can be brought before the district court. It is important to actively use your right of appeal if you believe something is wrong. You may also read our article on permanent residence permit requirements to understand the connection between residence status and rights in Norway.
How to prepare for questions about child welfare on the exam
Child welfare is one of the topics that may appear on the Samfunnskunnskapsprøven. Questions usually concern the role of the child welfare service, children's rights, and what happens when a concern report is filed. You do not need to memorise the legal text, but you should understand the main principles.
The most important points to remember are: the child welfare service is a municipal service, the best interests of the child is the most important consideration, and all children in Norway are covered by the law. You should also know that public employees have a mandatory reporting obligation, and that most child welfare measures are voluntary.
Many candidates are unsure whether the child welfare service applies to immigrants. The answer is clear: yes. The Child Welfare Act applies to all children with ordinary residence in Norway. It also applies to refugees and children without permanent residence. This is a typical exam question. You should also know that the child welfare service is primarily a support service, and that removal only happens in serious cases where other measures have proved insufficient.
Use the quiz feature on SamfunnPrep to test your knowledge of child welfare and other curriculum topics. Also see our overview of common exam questions for targeted practice. The more practice questions you do, the more confident you will feel on exam day. Start by reading this article once more and note the three or four key facts you want to remember.