Follow-up of Parents (Oppfolging av foreldre)

Definition

Oppfølging av foreldre (“follow-up of parents”) refers to the Child Welfare Service’s ongoing duty to follow up parents after a child has been taken into care. This is not optional “nice to have” support—it is a core safeguard intended to protect the child’s right to family life and to keep reunification as a real possibility where appropriate.

What the law requires (in plain language)

Norway’s Child Welfare Act includes explicit duties after a care order, including:

• Follow-up of the child (monitor development and whether the child receives proper care).
• Follow-up of the parents, including support that can contribute to parents being able to regain care when appropriate.
• A written plan for the child’s care situation and the follow-up of the child and parents, prepared as soon as possible after the care order and updated when needed.

Why this is a major problem area

Multiple reviews and reports have pointed out that follow-up of parents can be inadequate or unsystematic. When follow-up is weak, reunification becomes a “paper possibility” rather than a real pathway—especially if contact (samvær) is also limited.

Do Better Norge perspective

From a rights-based lens, poor follow-up creates a self-reinforcing loop:

• Parents receive minimal support and limited contact.
• The relationship weakens due to system design, not parental intent.
• The state then cites the weakened bond as a reason to maintain separation.

This is where Article 8 principles become concrete: authorities must demonstrate individual assessment, proportionality, and genuine work toward reunification when it is in the child’s best interests.

What parents should do (practical)

• Demand the written follow-up plan and ask what specific steps are aimed at reunification (if reunification is a stated goal).
• Request clear objectives: what must change, how it will be measured, and when it will be reviewed.
• Document every interaction (meetings, phone calls, emails, visit notes).
• Challenge “no plan” situations through formal complaint channels and oversight bodies.

References and official resources

• Government.no: Child Welfare Act (English translation)
• Lovdata: Plan for follow-up after care order (Section 7-4)
• NOU 2023:7 (Committee findings on follow-up)
• Bufdir: For parents who have lost custody of their child

Do Better Norge note: “Follow-up of parents” is one of the most important accountability checkpoints in Norwegian child welfare. If it is missing, document it early.