Small Moments and Turning Points for Long-term Poor Families in Norway: The Lived Experience of Having a Family Coordinator

Abstract

This article contributes to the growing research field investigating intensive intervention programmes aimed at families with complex needs, focusing on the experiences of long-term poor families in Norway. There is a growing public concern about social inequalities in Norway, especially regarding child poverty and the negative effects of social and economic exclusion. The innovation project New Patterns is a means to compensate for the present silo-organised social welfare system, opting to develop holistic services targeting poor families with diverse challenges. Based on interviews and observation, the article examines how parents experience being subjected to extensive but voluntary family intervention by a designated family coordinator. We analyse what forms of change they are identifying as happening after working with the family coordinator. We find that the changes they identify can be labelled both as small moments and turning points and argue that small moments can instigate decisive changes.