Child Protection Service's Views of Barnahus Services in Iceland

Abstract

Child abuse affects millions of children worldwide, often resulting in profound and long-term consequences. The Barnahus model is a multidisciplinary and interagency child-centred approach to responding to child abuse, bringing together professionals from the court system, law enforcement, child protection and physical and mental health services under one roof in a child-friendly environment. Originating in Iceland, the model has since been adopted across several European countries. In Iceland, child protection services play a central role in the multidisciplinary team; therefore, this study explored child protection workers' views on Barnahus services and interagency cooperation. Fifty-one child protection workers across Iceland participated in an anonymous survey study, with 47 completing all items. Data were analyzed using a mixed-methods approach. Quantitative findings indicated high overall satisfaction with Barnahus services and the quality of collaboration. The thematic analysis of open-ended responses identified key strengths, including trauma-informed care, child-centred approach and its multidisciplinary structure. Findings also highlight areas for improvement, including access to services in rural areas, forensic interviews and enhanced services for children affected by domestic violence. Study findings highlight the value of the Barnahus model while identifying areas for further development to promote more equitable and effective support for children and families.