The state administrator with strong criticism of child protection in a new inspection report

– It was wrong to return the children to their parents. It is also very serious that the children have had to suffer due to incorrect assessments, says acting head of child protection Anne Grethe Rosså Ramsvik in a press release following receiving the inspection report.

In the report, the State Administrator has concluded the same as the child protection and health board in Rogaland did earlier this year: The return of the children was wrong.

The municipality: – Agree with the criticism

In the summer of 2022, several children from the same family were taken out of the home and placed in emergency care. Despite several reports of concern regarding domestic violence, the child welfare service in Stavanger municipality chose to return the children to their parents in 2023.

– Following the return, we have followed up new concerns for the children and taken measures so that none of them now live with their parents, says Ramsvik.

The municipality writes in the press release that they agree with the criticism from the State Administrator. At the same time, the municipality acknowledges that the professional disagreement internally in this case should have been taken more seriously.

Appealed the child welfare board’s decision

In connection with the child protection and health board’s conclusion in the same case, the mother’s lawyer, Malin Holgersen, tells Stavanger Aftenblad that her client does not wish to comment on the case.

The tribunal decided in March that the child welfare service takes over the care of the last two children who lived with their parents.

The father’s lawyer confirms to Aftenbladet that the decision has been appealed to Sør-Rogaland district court.

This is the second time this year that the State Administrator has directed strong criticism at the child protection service in Stavanger municipality. Just over two months ago concluded the State Administrator with the child protection agency breaking the Child Protection Act on several points in the so-called foster home case.