Enhancing Child Protection Through National Cooperation and Social Services Guidelines

1. Social services approach to Case Assessment 2014- 01-28

2. The County Administrative Board of Stockholm – Counteracting prostitution and trafficking • National co-ordination in Sweden - Office of the national coordinator • Co-ordination for safe return of victims of trafficking • Support programs for rehabilitation of victims of trafficking • Mapping of the prostitution in Sweden • National Guidelines regarding trafficking in human beings • National Operational Co-ordination/ Children: National Police Board, National Criminal Police, Specialised Police Units in Stockholm, Prosecutors office, International Chambers, The Swedish Migration Board/Child expert, Social services in i Stockholm & Gothenburg • A flexible and adjustable composition depending on needs • Operational support through advice/ national guidelines for social services/ other authorities

3. National report on trafficked children in Sweden, 2009-2011 • 2009–2011 Social service and NGO´s registered 166 Children possible victims of THB. (100 children reported to the police) • Of the 102 children in social services there were: • 81 of the children defined as unaccompanied/ approx. 50/50 children from EU and asylum-seeking children • 12 children was with their parents • 50/50 Boys and Girls. Age 3 to 17 years • 50 % Sexual-exploitation- majority girls • 50 % criminality, begging and work–majority boys • Very few THB cases with children to court. 3 persons convicted in three years, 5 children involved.

4. Conclusions and Proposals from the report • Increased national responsibility for trafficked children • Specific guidelines to social services* • Skills development and increased authority-cooperation* • Qualified and specialized institutions for the target group* • Protect children from disappearing* • Strengthen children's rights in the legal process • Revision regarding legislation in cases with children • Stronger cooperation in-between EU countries*

5. Child protection

6. Social Services Act/ Child Protection • Social services act – SoL • 14 kap 1 § SoL – report • 11 kap 1,2 §§ SoL – social assessment (4 months) • LVU - Care of Young Persons Act –(1 month/ 6 months) LSU • Emergency assessment of risks/ protection measures • BBIC – Children’s needs in focus – NBHW - a framework for assessment, planning and reviewing in child welfare • Legal guardianship/ dilemmas • Brussels II regulation • Difference in praxis and decisions from Administrative courts/ municipalities • Children are not identified as victims

7. Decision process/ Care of young persons act

8. Cooperation: Authorities & Organisations

9. Best Interest Determination/ Dilemmas • Child committing a crime being a possible victim of trafficking • Institution needs to have knowledge about the specific needs • Treated as a criminal not as a victim • Identification/ former criminality? • Quick information regarding this from the police. Effects the protection measures taken by social authorities. • In the Child's best interest to have the charges dropped and be classified as a victim of trafficking. • The child might not agree on this • Ethical dilemmas in the best interest determination • The social services and the child´s view on best interest determination

10. Specific issues transnational cases • Embassies • Cooperation national authorities for family assessment/ Best interest Determination • Brussels II regulation • Coordinating/ planning a voluntary and safe return

11. Contact: Charlotta Thorelius, tfn +46-8-785 41 14e-post: charlotta.thorelius@lansstyrelsen.se http://projektwebbar.lansstyrelsen.se/NMTSVERIGE

12. Example of a process/ authorities/ BID?