familieetaten

Familieetaten is not an official Norwegian government agency by that exact name. The term is sometimes used to refer to government services related to families, child welfare and family policy. The formal body responsible for these tasks is Barne-, ungdoms- og familieetaten (Bufetat), part of the Directorate for Children, Youth and Family Affairs (Bufdir) under the Ministry of Children and Family Affairs.

Its core responsibilities include safeguarding children, providing foster care, managing adoptions, and offering family support services. Bufetat collaborates with municipalities to ensure safe and appropriate care placements, conducts assessments of foster and adoptive applicants, and oversees placements in foster or adoptive homes. It also provides guidance, counseling and crisis support to families, and administers financial and practical support within the framework of public welfare.

Bufetat's activities are governed by national legislation such as the Barnevernloven (Child Welfare Act) and the Adopsjonsloven (Adoption Act), and are financed and overseen by the state. The agency works within the broader public welfare system to promote the best interests of children while supporting families to remain intact when possible.