Information to The child welfare services

The dialogue process is a structured, dialogue‑based method used as an alternative to regular case handling. The Tribunal chair leads the meetings, and an expert assists by providing child‑centred professional perspectives. The process is intended to support the parties in exploring solutions together — with the child’s needs at the centre.

A dialogue process may be offered as long as the case is being handled by the Child Welfare Tribunal.

• strengthen dialogue and cooperation between the child welfare services and the family
• promote a shared understanding of the child’s needs
• encourage solutions that the parties themselves have helped develop
• contribute to better and more accurate decision-making foundations

The process is based on principles from mediation, focusing on interests, mutual understanding, and the development of possible solutions.
 

The child welfare services must:
• approach the process with an open mind and a willingness to explore different possibilities and perspectives in the case
• have the authority to enter into agreements
• contribute constructively to the dialogue
• present relevant assessments without formal submissions or the presentation of evidence
• participate actively by raising topics that are important for the child welfare services
• promote and safeguard the child’s needs
 

Participants:

• the parents
• children who are parties
• the child welfare services
• the lawyers
• the Tribunal chair
• the expert
• a support person, if relevant

Content of the meeting:

• the parties share what is important to them
• dialogue‑based clarifications and questions
• reflection breaks with your lawyer

The child welfare services should be well prepared to explain their perspective on both the challenges and the possibilities in the case.

The Tribunal chair may facilitate trial arrangements that can provide useful information and help reduce conflict. The child welfare services are responsible for:
• follow up and implementation
• submitting written reports via their lawyer
• informing the Tribunal if the underlying conditions change
• contributing to the evaluation both before and during the next dialogue meeting
A trial arrangement is only carried out if it is in the best interests of the child.
 

• agreement on voluntary measures → the case is withdrawn
• agreement on coercive measures → the Tribunal chair may issue a decision alone
• no agreement → the case proceeds to a regular Tribunal hearing
 

In appeals against emergency decisions, a dialogue process may be used to improve communication during a critical phase.
 

Key features:
• one dialogue meeting
• a three week deadline
• the appointment of an expert may be difficult due to time constraints
• the same Tribunal chair continues with the regular appeal hearing if the consent for the dialogue process is withdrawn