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Child Welfare Legislation in Denmark: Trends in Child Welfare over the Past Decade

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 February 2024

Kay L. Thomas
Kay L. Thomas*
Affiliation:
Anthropology and Sociology Department, University of Queensland
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Abstract

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This paper deals with the Danish Child Welfare Law, which was passed in 1974 as part of an integrated welfare law aiming at decentralization of decision making in local government, and maximum citizen participation.

The law provides for counselling, recommendations and injunctions in connection with counselling, appointment of personal guidance officers, and taking children into care. The greater part of decision making is made in co-operation with parents. The few cases of removal of a child from the home without parental consent are conducted under the auspices of the local council welfare committee, presided over by a judge. Parents are given access and must be heard. Parents have wide rights of appeal.

Type
Research Article
Information
Children Australia , Volume 10 , Issue 4 , Summer 1986 , pp. 12 - 16
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1986

Footnotes

*

This paper is based on practical experience as a social worker in Denmark from 1972-81, when the Social Welfare Laws and administration underwent major changes. The law referred to specifically is Bistandslov (Welfare Law), 1974, and the circular on counselling and supervision of children 1975. Danish Welfare Monthly.

References

1. Based on “Bistand til born og ung 1982 og 1983” from Danmarks Statistik 26th June, 1985:5 — (Help to children and young people 1982 and 1983, from the Danish Statistics Office), available from Schultz Boghandel, Copenhagen. Further information available from the author.Google Scholar
2. Law nr.150 April, 1963, om inddrivelse af underholdsbidrag (Law on collection of child maintenance), Akademisk forlag, 4, 1971.Google Scholar
3. Bistand til born og ung 1982 og 1983, Opat.Google Scholar
4. “Cash Help and Home Help etc. 1982 by Council Social Welfare Statistics” from Social Statistik, Danmarks Statistik 1984:1, 22 March 1984.Google Scholar
5. Bistand til born og ung 1982 og 1983 Opat.Google Scholar
6. Bistand til born og ung 1982 og 1983 Opat.Google Scholar
7. The total population of Denmark in 1983 was 5.1 million, of whom 1.4 million were under the age of 19. From Population Movements 1983, tables with English summaries published by Danmarks Statistik 1985. Available from Shultz's Boghaidel, Copenhagen.Google Scholar
8. For general information on Danish Health and Welfare in English see “Denmark”, by Holat, Erik and Ito, H., in “Linking Health Care and Social Services”, Eds. Hokenstad, M.C. and Ritiro, R.A., Social Service Delivery Systems, An International Annual, Vol. 5, 1982, pp 61–80. Sage Publications London.Google Scholar