Social services' home visits: checklist, what they look at and how to respond

[[HTMLTAG0]]] [[HTMLTAG1]]] You are here: [[HTMLTAG2]]] 5/8 of the series [[HTMLTAG3]]] Notification of concern to social services: your way step by step [[HTMLTAG4]]] [[HTMLTAG5]]] [[HTMLTAG6]]] A [[HTMLTAG7]] home visit [[HTMLTAG8]] is common during SOL investigation. The case manager wants to see the child's living environment, talk to you and sometimes to the child. The visit is not an “inspection” in the police sense, but it does affect the assessment. Prepare structured without hiding real risks or cleaning away problems that the child lives with. [[HTMLTAG9]]] [[HTMLTAG10]]] Previous: [[HTMLTAG11]]] Sun-Investigation [[HTMLTAG12]]]. Next: [[HTMLTAG13]]] prepare meeting [[HTMLTAG14]]]. [[HTMLTAG15]]] [[HTMLTAG16]]] [[HTMLTAG17]]] [[HTMLTAG18]] Statistics in perspective: [[HTMLTAG19]] In 2024, about 233,000 children were affected by at least one concern report, representing 10.8% of children 0-17 years old. This does not mean that the child is being taken into care or that the notification is proven. Approximately 54% of the reports were handled in an investigation; the rest are often terminated after prior assessment or other handling. [[HTMLTAG20]]] /aside > [[HTMLTAG21]]] [[HTMLTAG22]]] [[HTMLTAG23]]] Important! [[HTMLTAG24]]] If social services ask if you want or need support/interventions, do not answer categorically no at the moment. Rather say: “I am open to concrete proposals and will be happy to accept support if you consider it necessary. I would first like to understand what you are proposing and why.” Ask that your answer be recorded correctly. A blank no may otherwise be documented as opposing support, which may impair your position in the investigation. [[HTMLTAG25]]] /aside > [[HTMLTAG26]]] Before visiting: checklist [[HTMLTAG27]]] [[HTMLTAG28]]] [[HTMLTAG29]]] [[HTMLTAG30]]] Confirm time and who will [[HTMLTAG31]]] (name, title). Ask how long the visit is expected to take. [[HTMLTAG32]]] [[HTMLTAG33]]] [[HTMLTAG34]]] Request written purpose: [[HTMLTAG35]]] what should be assessed during the visit? [[HTMLTAG36]]] [[HTMLTAG37]]] [[HTMLTAG38]]] Support person: [[HTMLTAG39]]] can someone you trust join? See [[HTMLTAG40]]] support person at a government meeting [[HTMLTAG41]]]. [[HTMLTAG42]]] [[HTMLTAG43]]] [[HTMLTAG44]] The child: [[HTMLTAG45]]] inform age-appropriate. Children should not be questioned unnecessarily in front of you if it creates a conflict of loyalty. [[HTMLTAG46]]] [[HTMLTAG47]]] [[HTMLTAG48]] Document: [[HTMLTAG49]]] lease agreement, medical certificate, school email, timeline. Have copies, not originals that may disappear. [[HTMLTAG50]]] [[HTMLTAG51]]] [[HTMLTAG52]] Room: [[HTMLTAG53]]] regular order is enough. Extreme cleaning is not needed, but obvious unhygiene or dangerous conditions you need to address honestly if they exist. [[HTMLTAG54]]] [[HTMLTAG55]]] [[HTMLTAG56]]] Recording: [[HTMLTAG57]]] In Sweden, you are often allowed to record conversations you participate in if you inform. See [[HTMLTAG58]]] record meeting with authority [[HTMLTAG59]]]. [[HTMLTAG60]]] [[HTMLTAG61]]] [[HTMLTAG62]]] What social services usually look at [[HTMLTAG63]]] [[HTMLTAG64]]] They do not judge furnishings or economic status per se, but whether the environment is safe and works for the child: [[HTMLTAG65]]] [[HTMLTAG66]]] [[HTMLTAG67]]] Does the child have their own bed/place to sleep? [[HTMLTAG68]]] [[HTMLTAG69]]] Is there food, heat, working hygiene? [[HTMLTAG70]]] [[HTMLTAG71]]] Is the home safe (no visible weapons, drugs, hazardous chemicals within reach)? [[HTMLTAG72]]] [[HTMLTAG73]]] What is the atmosphere like when they are there: screams, silence, children hiding? [[HTMLTAG74]]] [[HTMLTAG75]]]] Are toys, books, school supplies available in an age-appropriate manner? [[HTMLTAG76]]] [[HTMLTAG77]]] [[HTMLTAG78]]] If the notification concerns something specific (e.g. absence from school), the home visit may focus more on routines and interaction than on “cleaning”. [[HTMLTAG79]]] [[HTMLTAG80]]] During the visit: responding to [[HTMLTAG81]]] [[HTMLTAG82]]] Where you are and how you talk [[HTMLTAG83]]] [[HTMLTAG84]]] Be calm and clear. Answer what is asked. You can say: “I want us to focus on how [the child] is doing and what concerns are there.” [[HTMLTAG85]]] [[HTMLTAG86]]] Avoid that: [[HTMLTAG87]]] [[HTMLTAG88]]] [[HTMLTAG89]]] threatening language towards the administrator, [[HTMLTAG90]]] [[HTMLTAG91]]] long monologues about neighbor conflicts if they are not relevant, [[HTMLTAG92]]] [[HTMLTAG93]]] ask the child to “say that everything is fine” in front of the visitor. [[HTMLTAG94]]] [[HTMLTAG95]]] [[HTMLTAG96]]] Child's reaction [[HTMLTAG97]]] [[HTMLTAG98]]] Children may become frightened, silent, or overly excited. That is normal. Explain to the caseworker if the child has recently learned about the notification. Ask if the child can talk individually if desired and the child is old enough. [[HTMLTAG99]]] [[HTMLTAG100]]] Rooms you can view or decline [[HTMLTAG101]]] [[HTMLTAG102]]] You do not normally have to open private spaces that do not touch the child if the administrator does not have a reasonable reason. The child's room, kitchen and living room are common. If you feel insecure: have a support person and document what is shown. [[HTMLTAG103]]] [[HTMLTAG104]]] What you say about home [[HTMLTAG105]]] [[HTMLTAG106]]] Answers showing child focus and structure: [[HTMLTAG107]]] [[HTMLTAG108]]] [[HTMLTAG109]]] "The child sleeps here every night. We read fairy tales at eight o'clock on weekdays.” [[HTMLTAG110]]] [[HTMLTAG111]]] "The school is in contact with us via email, here are the latest excerpts.” [[HTMLTAG112]]] [[HTMLTAG113]]] "We have had crowded accommodation but the rent is paid and the child has his own place.” [[HTMLTAG114]]] [[HTMLTAG115]]] [[HTMLTAG116]]] If something is difficult right now: “We are working with [X] since [date] with support from [device]. The child still has [safe adult/routine].” [[HTMLTAG117]]] [[HTMLTAG118]]] After visiting [[HTMLTAG119]]] [[HTMLTAG120]]] [[HTMLTAG121]]] Send [[HTMLTAG122]]] follow-up email [[HTMLTAG123]] on the same day or the day after: what was said, what was shown, what you want to complete. See [[HTMLTAG124]]] template [[HTMLTAG125]]. [[HTMLTAG126]]] [[HTMLTAG127]]] Request [[HTMLTAG128]] meeting notes [[HTMLTAG129]] and read them carefully. [[HTMLTAG130]]] [[HTMLTAG131]]] Incorrect data: request [[HTMLTAG132]]] correction [[HTMLTAG133]]]. See [[HTMLTAG134]]] corrections in the [[HTMLTAG135]] investigation. [[HTMLTAG136]]] [[HTMLTAG137]]] If the visit felt disproportionate or abusive: document and consider JO or contact with children's representative. [[HTMLTAG138]]] [[HTMLTAG139]]] [[HTMLTAG140]]] Frequently Asked Questions [[HTMLTAG141]]] [[HTMLTAG142]]] Do I have to let them in? [[HTMLTAG143]]] [[HTMLTAG144]]] The social services do not have the right of the police to force entry without a court order in normal SOL investigation. However, refusing can adversely affect the assessment if they have reasonable cause to see the home. Balance: collaborative willingness with child focus, but require clarity of purpose and documenting. [[HTMLTAG145]]] [[HTMLTAG146]]] Can they come unannounced? [[HTMLTAG147]]] [[HTMLTAG148]]] Unannounced visits occur in some emergency situations. In ongoing planned investigation, time is normally booked. Ask for new time if you really can't, but repeated avoidance without reason can be used against you. [[HTMLTAG149]]] [[HTMLTAG150]]] Do neighbors or notifiers know? [[HTMLTAG151]]] [[HTMLTAG152]] Family information is subject to confidentiality. You should not have to discuss the neighbor's version during the visit if it is not relevant. [[HTMLTAG153]]] [[HTMLTAG154]]]] The next step in the series [[HTMLTAG155]]] [[HTMLTAG156]]] [[HTMLTAG157]]] [[HTMLTAG158]]] 6) Prepare meeting with Social Services [[HTMLTAG159]]] [[HTMLTAG160]]] [[HTMLTAG161]]] [[HTMLTAG162]]] 7) Corrections in the investigation [[HTMLTAG163]]] [[HTMLTAG164]]] [[HTMLTAG165]]] [[HTMLTAG166]]] Adult track: concern report adult [[HTMLTAG167]]] [[HTMLTAG168]]]] [[HTMLTAG169]]] [[HTMLTAG170]]] Sources [[HTMLTAG171]]] [[HTMLTAG172]]] [[HTMLTAG173]]] [[HTMLTAG174]]] Children's Ombudsman: After concern [[HTMLTAG175]]]] [[HTMLTAG176]]] [[HTMLTAG177]]] [[HTMLTAG178]]] Publicity and Privacy Act [[HTMLTAG179]]] [[HTMLTAG180]]] [[HTMLTAG181]]]