On Tuesday, it became known that messages of concern that the police have sent via the Altinn messaging service have not reached the municipalities. – It makes a strong impression on me and I think a lot about the kind of consequences this has for children. This is about children about whom we do not receive reports, so it is a terrible case, says Minister for Children and Families Kjersti Toppe to news. This is the second time in a short time that a serious error has been uncovered when it comes to reports of concern to child protection. – It is almost indescribable to be in a situation like this where we get yet another case like this, says Toppe. Ongoing investigation When it became known in June that a data failure was the reason why reports of concern did not reach the municipalities, the Minister for Children and Families initiated a national investigation. According to Toppe, Altinn is already partially part of the ongoing national investigation. – The Directorate of Digitalisation, which owns Altinn, is already involved in the investigation that is taking place now, says Toppe to news. She points out that it is the police who are responsible in this case, and that any new investigation must be initiated by the Directorate of Police and the Ministry of Justice. – I am open to the fact that the work around Altinn can clearly become part of this larger, national investigation as well. We must have a dialogue, and agree on this formally, Toppe continues. Concerned about the children’s legal security To BT, she calls today’s news unacceptable. – It is unacceptable that we have system failures in such important areas. That shouldn’t happen, she tells the newspaper. Minister for Children and Families Kjersti Toppe. Photo: Tom Balgaard/news The Minister for Children and Families tells news that reports of concern to child protection are a critical social function. – Messages that do not reach can have an impact on life and health. This may have posed a threat to the legal security of children and young people. In light of this, I expect that the police will now go through their systems thoroughly, and ensure that the error is corrected, she says. – Unacceptable Storting representative Tage Pettersen (H) believes the case is serious. – Today’s news about reports of concern to child protection from the police, which have not come forward or been read, is very serious. This comes on top of the news that the system several municipalities use for reporting concerns has major weaknesses, he says. Pettersen adds that over time there is a risk that many serious reports of concern will never be dealt with. – It is unacceptable, he says. Tage Pettersen calls it unacceptable that messages of concern have not arrived. Photo: Stian Lysberg Solum / NTB Group leader in Bergen MDG, Thor Haakon Bakke, believes this is yet another example that public Norway does not have control over digitalisation. – It is completely tragic that poor technical infrastructure once again goes beyond the safety of our dearest. Such scandals can have enormous consequences, and now all responsible authorities must immediately sit down and ensure that it never happens again, he says. – Can be extremely serious Children’s Ombudsman Inga Bejer Engh says that the state must ensure that all municipalities have systems to receive reports of concern regardless of channel. – It is serious if the police have started sending messages of concern in a new system, without the state child protection authorities and the Norwegian Police Directorate having ensured that all municipalities are in agreement with this, she says. The consequences can be extremely serious for the children involved, she says. The children’s ombudsman believes the consequences can be extremely serious. Photo: Tom Balgaard / Tom Balgaard/news – This can lead to children living in unsustainable situations not being caught and given the necessary help. The fact that a child in a difficult family situation is not followed up can be extremely serious, she says. Director for children’s rights in Unicef Norway, Kristin Oudmayer, tells news that the case is worrying. – This may have led to children experiencing serious neglect, violence or abuse not having received the help they are entitled to. And that they have suffered, and may still be suffering, for an unnecessarily long time, says Oudmayer.
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The Minister for Children and Families is concerned about children’s legal security after a new serious revelation – news Vestland
