Child welfare service investigations, 2004

20 investigations were started per 1 000 children aged 0-17 in 2004, compared with 19 in 2003. Investigations involving boys were more common than those involving girls. For the age group 13-17, which is the largest group, 23 investigations were started per 1 000 children.

The statistics only contain data on who reported the incidents resulting in an investigation. In other words, the population does not include all reports to the child welfare service, but only reports that resulted in investigations. Several people or institutions may be behind one report.

Considerable differences among counties

There are considerable differences among counties in terms of the number of initiated investigations and investigations that result in the child being placed under protection.

53 per cent of the investigations led to intervention pursuant to the Child Welfare Service Act. 46 per cent were shelved without intervention. For 1 per cent of the cases, the conclusions are unknown.

Parents seek help in one of five cases

In three out of ten of the investigations that were started last year, the child itself, his or her family or neighbours contacted the child welfare service. In 22 per cent of the cases, the parents made the contact. Neighbours accounted for 3 per cent of the reports leading to an investigation, whereas the child welfare service and schools were behind 11 per cent of the reports respectively. The police and emergency child protection centres accounted for 10 and 7 per cent, while health stations and kindergartens were the reporting body in 5 and 3 per cent of the investigations.

Content of reports

In one out of five cases (22 per cent) neglect/abuse was the reason for a report leading to an investigation, and 18 per cent were due to the child having behavioural problems. Conditions in the home and special needs were the reason in just over half of the cases (54 per cent).

Seven of ten investigations were completed within deadline

According to the Child Welfare Services Act, the child welfare service is required to undertake all investigations without delay within three months after a case has been reported. In special cases the deadline can be extended to six months.

Of the 20 769 investigations that were completed in 2004, 69 per cent were completed within the three-month deadline. A further 25 per cent were completed within six months, and in six per cent of the cases the processing time was longer than six months. Information is lacking for just less than 1 per cent of the investigations. The average processing time in 2004 was 77 days, against 76 and 80 days in 2003 and 2002.

Tables:

• Table 1 Investigation cases started and closed, by conclusion and sex, age and county. 1993-2004
• Table 2 Cases investigated at the child welfare service, by the report's contents and who reported the case. 1997-2004
• Table 3 Investigation cases closed, by duration of procedure and county. 1997-2004