The National Agency for Children and Families is part of the Ministry of Education and Children, operating under laws established by Parliament. The agency supports services provided by municipalities throughout the country, as well as working towards the integration of services for the well-being of children. On the basis of the Child Protection Act, the agency supervises the operation of state treatment homes, the Barnahús children's center, and other resources that support the processing of child protection cases. The agency also provides services to the team in foster care by training, educating and supporting foster parents.

The National Agency for Children and Families also performs various other tasks in the interest of the welfare of children, and promotes the development of its services in accordance with the best knowledge and experience available.

Tasks of the National Agency for Children and Families

• General and specialized education for government personnel and others.

• Publishing guidelines, checklists and other supporting material.

• Providing instructions and advice on the processing of individual cases.

• Developing and implementing evidence-based methods and resources in the interest of children.

• Development and supervision of homes, institutions and specialized resources for children.

• Academic research that serves the objectives of child protection laws, and support for development and research.

• Information processing, including collection and record keeping.

• Other tasks provided for by law or assigned to the institution by the minister.

Child protection laws and obligations

• To work to coordinate and strengthen child protection services in the country, including promotion of the integration of child protection services and other services in children's interests.

• To provide guidance and advice to child protection services on the implementation of the child protection laws and the processing of individual cases.

• To promote the processing of child protection cases in accordance with laws, regulations and guidelines.

• To provide child protection services with the section on foster care under Chapter XII laws.

• To act as the senior management of households and institutions that the State must make available under Chapter XIII laws, and to participate in the establishment of such households and institutions.

• To supervise the assignment of children to homes and institutions.

• To manage the Barnahús children's center.