Children's prosperity handbook - implementation of the law
Service provider:
In addition to this electronic version a PDF file in Icelandic is available.
Implementing the children's prosperity law
The implementation cycle of the Children's Prosperity Act contains seven steps; it is expected that it will take varying amounts of time for municipalities and institutions to complete the cycle. After its completion, it is important to form new goals to help maintain the success of all activities with children and their families.
The steps of the introductory round are: (see image with Icelandic text)
Starting and preparation
Evaluating the situation
Education
Action plan
Implementation
Final evaluation, feedback and procedures
New objectives and continuation
In light of the fact that most municipalities and institutions are already in the process of implementing the law, it was decided to connect the checklists for implementation status with the implementation cycle of the law. Municipalities and institutions can use the checklists to evaluate where they are in the implementation process; i.e. what has been done and what is missing, and then to draw up an action plan based on that.
The checklists on the status of implementation can be accessed both in pdf and electronic format in the following chapters. By filling out the electronic form, the municipality/agency agrees to share responses on the status of implementation with the children's prosperity department of the National Agency for Children and Families. This contributes to a greater overview of implementation status, and enables the National Agency for Children and Families to provide better assistance. For municipalities/agencies the electronic version is recommended.
The Children's Prosperity law entails changes in various areas concerning services for children and their families. It involves changes in both procedures and viewpoints in children's affairs, which can vary between municipalities and institutions.
The seven steps are detailed below, along with checklists, instructions and detailed material to support the implementation process.
The main objective here is that municipalities and institutions prioritize implementing the children's prosperity act and work according to the legislation. The departments or areas involved in services to children and families within municipalities and institutions have different sizes and structures.
It is important to examine how the needs of children and parents are met today in the organization of a municipality or institution. It is necessary to evaluate the obstacles in the administration that can complicate cooperation between departments or sectors when it comes to services for children and parents. It is necessary to examine the channels and current procedures between departments or sectors, and clarify and define cooperation, roles and responsibilities of all parties. It is also necessary to take into account the cooperation agreements that may exist between municipalities and institutions on projects that concern children and their families, such as child protection, school affairs, social services and more.
The law on children's prosperity covers all services within the school system: in pre-school, primary and secondary schools, in the home and social centres. It also covers services provided within the healthcare system, in health centres, health institutions and hospitals, social services, child protection services and services for disabled children, as well as police tasks. All those who manage services for children need to talk and know about the children's prosperity law and cooperation that it involves, both within a municipality or institution, but also with other systems and institutions.
The goal of the law is to create a multi-disciplinary cooperation within the systems that provide services to children and families. The main goal of the law is to break down barriers between the systems, and all local service providers need to join in. It is important to involve everyone when the law is introduced and ensure a dialogue, right at the beginning, with everyone who provides services for children within the limits of the municipality.
Widespread involvement of the service providers in implementing the project can be very important when it comes to its success. Bringing everyone to the table at the beginning increases the chances of better and swifter implementation. It is clear that cooperation in individual cases will be better when general consultation and dialogue between service providers is also undertaken. Everyone needs to be aware that when it comes to an implementation of this size, where many service providers come together, there can be disagreements at all levels and there can be decades of different traditions or experiences behind them. Such disagreements must be resolved as soon as possible. It is recommended to look closely at the picture Cooperating parties implementing the children's prosperity law (in Icelandic).
In this context, it is important that a person be appointed who is responsible for implementing the law. Some municipalities or institutions have taken the approach of creating a position around implementing the law while others assign this responsibility to a person who is already in other positions there. It is important to ensure that the responsible person has the time, space and support needed to work on implementing the law. It should be kept in mind that the scope of the responsibility of the responsible person can vary greatly depending on the size and nature of the services that the municipality or institution provides. Also, some municipalities and institutions have an agreement with another one that provides services for children, the responsible person for implementing the law is the responsible person for both.
It is also important that the responsible person within the municipality or institution set up a steering group. The steering group consists of staff members with different backgrounds and from different fields involved in services to children and families. The person responsible for implementing the law is also responsible for the work of the steering group during the implementation process.