Government newsletter - Children and young people in focus
24 October 2011
Children and young people in focus
Government has allocated funds in the autumn budget for children and young people, and a series of initiatives is now planned.
Improved economic conditions for families
The Government proposes that the special housing allowance for families with children be raised by SEK 350-600 per month, depending on the number of children in the household. The housing allowance, in the form of an allowance for housing costs, is also to be increased by SEK 300 per month for all families with children. Many families, especially single parents, are in a vulnerable situation. Slightly larger margins can help reduce parents' concern about the family finances and strengthen the security of children. The proposal will mainly benefit those on low incomes and will reduce the proportion of economically disadvantaged households with children. For example, for a two-child family receiving housing allowance, the increase will be SEK 725 per month, or SEK 8 700 per year, prior to any reduction to offset other incomes.
Good housing for all children
Initiatives to tackle homelessness continue. An important aspect of this is the development of better statistics on homelessness and evictions. As of 2012, indicators on homelessness will also be published in the form of open comparisons by the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions. A national coordinator should be appointed to help municipalities to work preventively and the country administrative boards given the task of assisting them. The Government proposes that SEK 8 million be allocated in 2012-2013, followed by SEK 10 million per year from 2014 onwards.
Clearer child rights policy
The Riksdag has approved a Government strategy to strengthen the rights of the child. It applies to all public bodies and, to intensify work in municipalities and county councils, an agreement and action plan have been developed together with the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions. The Office of the Children's Ombudsman has been tasked with disseminating the strategy. By listening to children, the Government wants to learn how they perceive their situation. Children are always entitled to make their voices heard.
More support to children at risk
The Government is committed to strengthening the protection of vulnerable children, especially those children who are the subject of intervention efforts by the social services, such as foster-home or institutional care.
The best interests of the child must be the central factor in decisions made by the social services, and children and young people must have the right to be heard in matters affecting them. In addition, it is important that there is effective and coordinated state supervision, with a clear children's perspective, to ensure that laws, regulations and intentions are followed. The Government has provided the conditions for this through a supervisory reform making the National Board of Health and Welfare the supervisory authority.
The Government will propose legislative amendments strengthening the support and protection of children and young people. A national security programme for children and young people in public care will also be developed to strengthen the monitoring of social services for children and young people at national level.
