Denmark

Fairstart offers free online training programmes for caregivers and leaders at children’s institutions or other group care settings and foster care parents. The programmes consist of 13-15 training sessions that include all basic aspects of quality care for children, illustrated through text and video. The programmes teach caregivers how to improve child development and well being, how to cope with traumatized children, how to handle many children per adult  and much more. Furthermore, participants train collaborative competences between leaders and staff, between foster parents and authorities and biological parents.

Geert Jorgensen is a child rights expert based in Denmark, working as an independent consultant developing social services and offering assistance in strategic planning, organisational development and counseling for managements and boards. Geert Jorgensen was previously the Managing Director of LOS, which mostly gathers group homes and residential homes for children and youth and special schools.

The Joint Council for Child Issues is a Danish umbrella organisation that actively takes part in the political debate on child poverty through the publishing of relevant information and commenting on proposals for new legislation. Its vision is a Denmark without child poverty, “a Denmark where children’s right of participation, self-determination, health, development and security is a reality.

Børns Vilkår, Denmark, fights to ensure that no child in Denmark is abandoned – neither by the child’s closest adults nor by society. It ensures that every child has at least one person who listens to them to make sure they get the support and care they need. Their work includes running the national child helpline, helping children, parents and those who work with children. They also provide workshops for children, schools, teachers and parents on children’s rights as well as advocate for the rights and best interest of the child. Finally, children can get an official Children’s Welfare specialist on children’s rights who assist them before, during and after official meetings with government agencies, such as the social department of the municipality, to ensure that their voices and concerns are heard.