Faroese child welfare agency reviews relocation decision after ombudsman criticism

The Faroese social services agency Almannaverkið is re-evaluating its decision to relocate a child’s care placement from Tórshavn to Sandur following a critical assessment by the parliamentary ombudsman, which found the move lacked proper procedural grounds.

In April, the ombudsman issued a formal reprimand to Almannaverkið for transferring the child’s care arrangement without adequate consultation, justification, or appeal provisions. The agency had framed the relocation as a routine administrative adjustment, citing plans to repurpose the Tórshavn facility, but the ombudsman ruled it constituted a formal decision requiring full procedural safeguards.

Hjørdis S. Mortensen, director of Almannaverkið, confirmed the agency is reviewing the ombudsman’s findings but declined further comment. The case stems from a New Year’s notification to the child’s family that the care placement would be moved.

In response to a parliamentary question from Ruth Vang of the Progress Party, Social Affairs Minister Margit Stórá stated on June 2 that Almannaverkið is “reassessing the decision” and examining whether other families affected by similar relocations should receive comparable reviews. Stórá noted the agency is actively addressing the matter.