Work

Contact person intervention in Nordic countries: A comparative integrative review

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: In Sweden, Finland, Norway, and Denmark, the contact person intervention (CPI) is declared for children and youth in national legislation. The CPI is based on a relationship between the child and a volunteer adult who provides support to the child in need in different life situations. In this review, we summarise how the CPI within child welfare services has been studied and defined in four Nordic countries (Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark). The aim is to present an overview of research-based knowledge on the intervention in the Nordic countries. A thorough integrative literature review for the period January 2010 to September 2022 produced 16 scientific publications. There were no academic publications available for Denmark during this period. The review focused on research carried out in Sweden (10 publications), Finland (5), and Norway (1). All studies on the CPI are descriptive and explorative and mainly focus on tracing the historical background of the intervention. The practice of working with contact persons would benefit from research looking at the content and effectiveness of the service. More systematic national and cross-national research is needed to strengthen the knowledge base of the intervention.

Source: Children and Youth Services Review

DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2024.108006

Authors: Tiina Lehto-Lundén, Lotta Jägervi, Anu-Riina Svenlin, Kerstin Svensson, Johanna Moilanen

Institutions: University of Jyväskylä, Lund University

Language: English

Topic: Child Welfare and Adoption

Subfield: Safety Research

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,370