Several healthcare providers are implementing "Children Under the Radar"

"It is gratifying that so many are engaged and want ‘Children Under the Radar’ at their healthcare providers and hospitals. This marks a collective responsibility for the well-being of children," says advisor at BarnsBeste, and project manager for the national implementation of “Children Under the Radar,” Linn Mari Berge.

"Children Under the Radar" was first launched as a pilot project at Sørlandet Hospital in 2019, and was the first hospital to adopt the checklist in Norway. Consultant at SSHF, Unni Mette S. Köpp, was the initiator of the project which includes ambulance services, emergency departments, and mobile acute teams.

"All healthcare personnel have a duty to report to the child welfare services, and the goal of the checklist is to provide reassurance to healthcare personnel in assessing whether to send a report or not, especially when it comes to suspicion of violence and serious neglect," says Köpp.

BarnsBeste, the national expertise network for children with parents who have health challenges, has led and coordinated the national implementation of "Children Under the Radar," and in January 2023, all healthcare providers in Norway were encouraged through the assignment document to prioritize vulnerable children and young people. This included further development and implementation of tools such as "Children Under the Radar" from Sørlandet Hospital.

The implementation has already yielded positive results, with increased focus on patients' children, the establishment of clearer routines, and employees who are better equipped to handle concerns about patients' children.

"We are well on our way to healthcare providers adopting ‘Children Under the Radar’ in accordance with the assignment letter from 2023, and we believe that a national implementation can contribute to detecting more cases of child abuse and serious neglect in Norway," says leader of BarnsBeste, Siri Gjesdahl.