Barnavernd

Barnavernd is the Icelandic term for child protection services, a public system responsible for safeguarding the welfare, safety, and development of children and young people. It is organized primarily at the municipal level within the social services framework and operates under national legislation and guidelines, aligned with international standards such as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The core tasks include receiving and evaluating reports of suspected abuse or neglect, conducting risk assessments, and, when necessary, implementing safety measures to protect children. Social workers collaborate with families, schools, healthcare providers and law enforcement to identify needs and provide support services, including counseling, parenting programs, and placement planning.

When children cannot be safely cared for at home, barnavernd authorities arrange temporary or permanent out-of-home placements, such as foster care or kinship care, and oversee guardianship or adoption processes in accordance with the law. Case management emphasizes regular review, ongoing monitoring, and coordination across agencies.

Access to services is typically available to anyone who has concerns about a child's welfare, with confidentiality and privacy protections. The system faces ongoing challenges such as resource constraints and demand fluctuations, and attempts to improve through interagency cooperation, professional training, and community prevention efforts.

See also: Child protection, Foster care, Icelandic social services.