A recent survey by the Danish Association of Social Workers indicates that a majority of social workers in the child and family sector feel unable to fully comply with the requirements of the “Barnets lov” (Children’s Law) due to insufficient resources. The survey highlights concerns about the effective implementation of the law, which aims to strengthen support for vulnerable children and young people.

According to the survey, 54% of social workers believe their workplaces lack the necessary resources to meet the demands of the Children’s Law, while only 16% feel current resources are adequate. This perceived lack of resources is raising concerns among experts and the Danish Association of Social Workers.

Signe Færch, chairwoman of the Danish Association of Social Workers, stated that the law is like “a beautiful airplane” lacking fuel and sufficient staff. She emphasized the dedication of social workers but stressed the difficulty of fully implementing the law without adequate resources, issuing a plea for help to politicians.

Experts who spoke with Danish Broadcasting Corporation (DR) expressed worry that social workers lack the necessary time and resources to properly adhere to the Children’s Law. Hanne Hartoft, a social law researcher at Aalborg University, told DR that this shortage impacts the well-being of children, families, and society as a whole.

The survey, based on responses from over 1100 social workers in authority roles within the child and family sector, also revealed that 70% of social workers believe the Children’s Law has strengthened the involvement of children and young people, aligning with one of the politicians’ goals for the new legislation.

To address the resource challenges, the Danish Association of Social Workers is urging municipalities to prioritize increased funding for the implementation of the Children’s Law. Additionally, the trade union advocates for establishing a maximum caseload for each social worker. The Association of Municipalities in Denmark (Kommunernes Landsforening) has acknowledged the pressure experienced by social workers.