Researching country wide system audit of the follow-ups of children living in foster homes 2022-23

The project will explore the impact of an upcoming country wide system audit on the child welfare services’ management and work practices. The project will focuse on the work process related to the follow-ups of children living in foster homes after proven regulatory breaches.

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Facts

Project managers

Sina Furnes Øyri

Inger Johanne Bergerød

Time frame

22.12.2021 - 31.12.2023

Funding

The Norwegian Board of Health Supervision; National Budget; Ministry of Children and Families.

Budget

1.5 mill. NOK + additional expenses (travel costs, external transcripts etc).

"The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has in recent years ruled Norway in several cases concerning child welfare. It is important to research the child welfare service's practice, in order to find possible points for improvement ».

The researchers Øyri and Bergerød on the importance of obtaining new knowledge about how the audit can contribute to a change in practice in the child welfare services.

Project outline

The overall aim of public supervision in Norway is to ensure that health and social services are provided in accordance with national acts and regulations. There is comprehensive legislation regarding child welfare, health, and social services. The County Governors and the Norwegian Board of Health Supervision are the supervision authorities. The supervision authorities will carry out country wide system audits during 2022 and 2023, specifically targeting the follow-ups of children living in foster homes. 

The Norwegian Board of Health Supervision has gained budget allocations which includes a research- and development project. The research- and development project is set to investigate municipalities where the country wide system audits have proven breach of acts or regulations. Øyri and Bergerød at SHARE have received the allocated means to conduct an investigating of some of these municipalities. The project includes examining how measures, routines, and system factors influence the work processes in the municipalities, and potentially result in improvement of the services and practise.

The research - and development project has a single embedded case study design. Øyri & Bergerød will conduct semi-structured individual interviews involving approximately 20 – 25 participants (both managers and employees retrieved from the selected municipalities). Reports concerning regulatory breaches and internal audits form the backdrop of the analysis.

Partners: The Norwegian Board of Health Supervision

Postdoctoral Fellow
51831298
Faculty of Health Sciences
Department of Quality and Health Technology
Postdoctoral Fellow
University of Stavanger
Faculty of Health Sciences
Department of Quality and Health Technology