– I have never experienced anything like this in my working life, says Kirsti Myrvang. This summer she resigned from her job as child protection manager in Midtre – Namdal child protection service in Trøndelag. The deputy leader and three team leaders have also quit recently. Myrvang says that the challenges started when Namsos municipality took over responsibility for the child welfare service in 2020. In the same year, there was an employee survey, where some employees made anonymous statements. As a result, her immediate management in the municipality initiated an investigation into her as head of child protection. Now the municipality is being criticized for having kept the results of the investigation secret, which led to rumors among employees and demanding conditions at the workplace for several. Both the former head and deputy head of the child welfare office are announcing legal action against the municipality. They believe the municipality did too little too late to improve working conditions. – It is a rarity that so many quit more or less at the same time, says the municipal director of Namsos, Jostein Grimstad. He says that the municipality has been trying to solve the challenges for a long time. Secret investigation without reason – It became impossible for me to continue as an employee in Namsos municipality, says Kirsti Myrvang. This autumn, she started a new job as child protection manager in another municipality in Trøndelag. She says it was challenging to collaborate with the municipal management in Namsos. news has seen the report that was made after the investigation of her. Here it appears that all the over 30 employees in the child protection service were interviewed (anonymously) and asked questions about the manager. Kirsti Myrvang, who was head of child protection, was not supposed to be there. She was therefore not allowed to come up with her version. The municipality decided that in advance. Myrvang says she is satisfied with the result. She believes the report has been kept secret for no reason. – Both myself and employees have asked for transparency several times since, which has not happened. The detention led to rumors and stories. It created demanding working conditions for several in the employee group. The safety representative and shop stewards were not allowed to see this report, but employees were given a review of parts of the report at a departmental meeting. Photo: Rita Kleven Most employees were satisfied with her as manager, shows the investigation which was carried out by the occupational health service on behalf of Namsos municipality. A minority wanted changes. – The municipality has not said anything about what I, as head of child protection, could have done differently, at least not to me, she says to news. She believes regular and good contact between child protection and the municipality’s political and administrative management is a prerequisite. – It requires transparency about what works well and where improvements are needed, says Kirsti Myrvang. Kirsti Myrvang believes that it is a duty for a child protection manager to set high standards for decisions made by the child protection service. Children and young people must have the opportunity to participate in the choices that are made. Photo: Rita Kleven She has received a lot of good feedback for the cleaning job done in Midtre Namdal child welfare service. She was hired after the Attorney General issued fines in 2014 for gross misunderstanding and neglect of children who needed help. Child welfare work got back on its feet, the number of employees increased and it was systematic work on all levels. Then Midtre Namdal co-municipality was closed down, and Namsos municipality took over responsibility for child welfare. The investigation that was initiated by her as manager made her very insecure. She suffered severe stress symptoms, and was on long-term sick leave. Her deputy at the child welfare office was also on sick leave for a longer period of time. Frames vulnerable children At the same time, the cases piled up in Midtre Namdal child protection service. Many children needed help. The municipality itself has reported serious breaches of deadlines in child protection. Therefore, the State Administrator has had special follow-up of the child protection service. – I have long been in despair about the situation, and what impact it will have on vulnerable children and young people in Midtre Namdal, says Kirsti Myrvang and continues. – The costs in the working environment have led to more people quitting. There is despair in a service that badly needs all the specialist expertise that can be obtained. She praises her former colleagues, who are responsible for children in the municipalities of Namsos, Overhalla and Flatanger. – They manage to contribute to the best for vulnerable children and young people. Municipal director of Namsos, Jostein Grimstad, says it is rare for five managers to quit at the same time. This autumn there is a good development in child protection, he believes. Photo: Ole Morten Melgård / Namsos municipality The municipality prepared for a lawsuit Municipal director Jostein Grimstad says they have now hired a new child protection manager in Midtre Namdal child protection service. – We see clear improvements this autumn and all children have been given a contact person. He believes they have enough employees and a proper service. Grimstad says that they are still working to close discrepancies after an inspection in the child protection service last summer. The municipal director does not want to comment on the investigation of the former child protection manager and what is said about the secrecy of the report. The reason is that LO – the lawyer has notified in a letter that both the head of child protection and the deputy head are going to sue Namsos municipality. – Very extensive work was done, with extensive use of the occupational health service and with a focus on the future, says the municipal director. County secretary of the joint organisation, Bente Aune Bragstad, says a good working environment is important to retain employees in child welfare. She believes Namsos municipality has not done enough. Serious matter The county secretary of the joint organisation, Bente Aune Bragstad, says a good working environment is important for doing a good job in child protection: – We take the matter very seriously. When employees report working conditions that are not good for their health, we expect employers to take this seriously and handle it properly. The GPs have notified the Norwegian Labor Inspection Authority about working conditions which led to sick leave by both the child welfare manager and the deputy manager of the Midtre Namdal child welfare service. – We are considering going to court because employees have been treated unfairly in relation to the law and agreements on the working environment, says Bragstad. She believes that the municipal management launched an investigation on a thin basis, thereby undermining the authority of the child welfare manager. When Kirsti Myrvang returned to her job as childcare manager this spring, after sick leave and leave, not everything was as before. Namsos municipality must be held responsible for that, writes LO – the lawyer in a letter to Namsos municipality. Increased responsibility for the municipalities from 2022 The child welfare reform came into force on 1 January 2022 The municipalities have gained more responsibility in the area of child welfare both professionally and financially. It places demands on the municipality’s management of child protection, on the management of child protection and the overall family support work. The reform will help to strengthen preventive work and early intervention. Source: Bufdir Several managers are announcing legal action against Namsos municipality, which they believe did too little too late to improve working conditions. Here at the office of the joint organisation, Kirsti Myrvang and Bente Aune Bragstad from the union. Photo: Rita Kleven
ttn-69
– It became impossible to continue – news Trøndelag
