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🇮🇸 Iceland /Elections & Politics

Icelandic Minister Calls Audit Results on Child Welfare Laws a 'Verdict of Failure'

From Morgunblaðið · () Icelandic

Translated from Icelandic, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Iceland's Minister of Education and Children, Inga Sæland, described the results of an administrative audit on the implementation of "well-being laws" as a "verdict of failure."
  • The laws, intended to ensure integrated services for children and parents, have not yielded the desired results in nearly five years.
  • Despite shortcomings, progress has been made in creating continuity in public systems, with contact persons established in most schools and better information flow between municipalities.

Inga Sæland, Iceland's Minister of Education and Children, has characterized the findings of a state audit on the implementation of "well-being laws" as a "verdict of failure." These laws, enacted nearly five years ago, aimed to provide children and parents with integrated and seamless services, but the audit concludes they have not achieved their intended success.

The results of the administrative audit by the National Audit Office on the implementation and execution of the well-being laws were a verdict of failure.

— Inga SælandMinister of Education and Children

The minister acknowledged that while the implementation of these laws has been ongoing, a significant component, the child protection laws, failed to pass during the recent parliamentary session. Sæland expressed hope that these laws will be approved in the upcoming session.

Despite the overall assessment, Sæland highlighted certain achievements. She noted increased continuity within public systems, which aids authorities in overseeing cases more effectively. The establishment of contact persons in nearly all primary schools and improved connections with healthcare institutions are cited as positive developments. Information now flows more smoothly between municipalities, providing a clearer overview of a child's history and previous services received.

There has been progress in creating continuity in public systems, making it easier for authorities to have an overview of cases.

— Inga SælandMinister of Education and Children

"Everything relies on continuity in all services surrounding this little individual, so that our systems talk to each other," Sæland stated, emphasizing the need for collaboration between child welfare services, district commissioners, police, school authorities, and social services. She believes this integrated approach will create a comprehensive overview of a child's situation and follow-up care, with significant progress occurring within the ministry.

Everything relies on continuity in all services surrounding this little individual, so that our systems talk to each other.

— Inga SælandMinister of Education and Children
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Morgunblaðið in Icelandic. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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