From Superintendence to Transition and Self-determination. Historic View on Policies and Practice towards Norwegian Care-leavers

Abstract

Leaving care services have been a feature of Norwegian child welfare legislation for more than a 100 years. This article traces the legislation and presents a discussion of these services. Three distinct periods can be identified, each with a dominant debate and policy orientation: the State’s need for control over the young people; the modern welfare state’s view that each child should be provided with services designed in the child’s best interest; and the more recent pressure for the promotion of the young people’s legal rights. Thus, ‘care versus control’ is a central theme. The article concludes by proposing both more international research, and locally developed practice.