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Contact person intervention in Nordic countries: A comparative integrative review

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  • Lehto-Lundén, Tiina
  • Jägervi, Lotta
  • Svenlin, Anu-Riina
  • Svensson, Kerstin
  • Moilanen, Johanna

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Lehto-Lundén, Tiina & Jägervi, Lotta & Svenlin, Anu-Riina & Svensson, Kerstin & Moilanen, Johanna, 2024. "Contact person intervention in Nordic countries: A comparative integrative review," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:167:y:2024:i:c:s0190740924005784
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2024.108006
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Havlicek, Judy, 2011. "Lives in motion: A review of former foster youth in the context of their experiences in the child welfare system," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(7), pages 1090-1100, July.
    2. Okland, Idun & Oterholm, Inger, 2022. "Strengthening supportive networks for care leavers: A scoping review of social support interventions in child welfare services," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).
    3. van der Put, Claudia & Assink, Mark & Schmitz, Daan & de Jager, Arjan & Stams, Geert Jan & van Dam, Levi, 2022. "Early assessment of the risk of child welfare involvement for preventive purposes," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 142(C).
    4. Herrera, Carla & DuBois, David L. & Heubach, Janet & Grossman, Jean B., 2023. "Effects of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Community-Based Mentoring Program on social-emotional, behavioral, and academic outcomes of participating youth: A randomized controlled trial," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).
    5. Limor Goldner & Adar Ben-Eliyahu, 2021. "Unpacking Community-Based Youth Mentoring Relationships: An Integrative Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-29, May.
    6. Anna Piil Damm & Emma von Essen & Astrid Jæger Jensen & Freja Kerrn-Jespersen & Sarah van Mastrigt, 2022. "Duration of Mentoring Relationship Predicts Child Well-Being: Evidence from a Danish Community-Based Mentoring Program," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-15, March.
    7. Gunawardena, Nathali & Stich, Christine, 2021. "Interventions for young people aging out of the child welfare system: A systematic literature review," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 127(C).
    8. Simmel, Cassandra, 2012. "Highlighting adolescents' involvement with the child welfare system: A review of recent trends, policy developments, and related research," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 34(7), pages 1197-1207.
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