A2 Review article, Literature review, Systematic review
Contact person intervention in Nordic countries : A comparative integrative review (2024)

Lehto-Lundén, T., Jägervi, L., Svenlin, A.-R., Svensson, K., & Moilanen, J. (2024). Contact person intervention in Nordic countries : A comparative integrative review. Children and Youth Services Review, 167, Article 108006. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2024.108006

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Lehto-Lundén, Tiina; Jägervi, Lotta; Svenlin, Anu-Riina; Svensson, Kerstin; Moilanen, Johanna

Journal or series: Children and Youth Services Review

ISSN: 0190-7409

eISSN: 1873-7765

Publication year: 2024

Publication date: 08/11/2024

Volume: 167

Article number: 108006

Publisher: Elsevier

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2024.108006

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/98642

Abstract

In Sweden, Finland, Norway, and Denmark, the contact person intervention (CPI) is declared for children and youth in national legislation. The CPI is based on a relationship between the child and a volunteer adult who provides support to the child in need in different life situations. In this review, we summarise how the CPI within child welfare services has been studied and defined in four Nordic countries (Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark). The aim is to present an overview of research-based knowledge on the intervention in the Nordic countries. A thorough integrative literature review for the period January 2010 to September 2022 produced 16 scientific publications. There were no academic publications available for Denmark during this period. The review focused on research carried out in Sweden (10 publications), Finland (5), and Norway (1). All studies on the CPI are descriptive and explorative and mainly focus on tracing the historical background of the intervention. The practice of working with contact persons would benefit from research looking at the content and effectiveness of the service. More systematic national and cross-national research is needed to strengthen the knowledge base of the intervention.

Keywords: social work; social workers; children's rights; contact persons; social support; support persons; child protection

Free keywords: contact person intervention; child welfare services; social work; Nordic countries; integrative literature review

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2024

Preliminary JUFO rating: 1