About us
The Barnahus Network is supporting Europe to adopt the Barnahus model as a standard practice for providing child victims and witnesses of violence rapid access to justice and care. We undertake this work to fulfil our vision: a Europe where all children enjoy their right to be protected from violence.
By bringing stakeholders together to share experiences and knowledge, and to jointly develop and commit to the Barnahus Quality Standards, the Network is accelerating progress across Europe in providing multidisciplinary services to child victims of violence.
This work is the result of a series of projects named “PROMISE”, under the leadership of the Council of the Baltic Sea States and in partnership with key Barnahus experts and stakeholders around Europe. The first PROMISE project (2015-2017), which brought together stakeholders together to share experiences and knowledge, and to jointly develop and commit to the Barnahus Quality Standards.
The work continued into the second PROMISE project (2017-2019), which promoted national level progress towards meeting the Standards.
The third project (2020-2022) established a European Competence Centre for Barnahus, laid the groundwork for an accreditation system for Barnahus, and expanded PROMISE activities to include University training and case management tools.
While the projects of PROMISE have been the main drivers for this work up until now, the work has graduated from the project level into something more.
About the Network
The Barnahus Network (formerly the PROMISE Barnahus Network) was established in 2019 to formalise the continuation of this work in the long term. This European approach supports the continuity of capacity-building, advocacy, and provision of Barnahus and similar services at the national level. Common frameworks in Europe enable a vibrant and constructive exchange on establishing and operating multidisciplinary interventions under one roof.
The Barnahus Network is a member-led organisation that works to harmonize and consolidate good Barnahus practice across Europe, and does so in support of and consultation with a competent and committed Barnahus workforce across Europe and an established peer-to-peer network.
A harmonisation of Barnahus practice across Europe serves to ensure quality Barnahus services, to boost the legitimacy of the approach, and ensure that all children in Europe have the same access to their rights to protection from violence, to support, and to be heard.
The launch of the Network is a very welcome development, and the fruit of a true European cooperation. It is very positive to see that EU Funding has contributed to further strengthening an integrated approach to child protection systems, also across borders.
Ms. Valeria Setti, European Commission coordinator for the Rights of the Child
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Ms. Valeria Setti, European Commission coordinator for the Rights of the Child
The Network’s activities support members to:
- Improve practice by having access to training, mentorship and practical tools, including University certified training in forensic interviews and therapy
- Gain recognition, and in the longer-term accreditation, for excellence in practice by having access to training, support, mentoring and tools to benchmark progress to practicing in line with the Barnahus standards
- Share expertise and learning and helping shape the European Barnahus Movement by having access to a broad network which actively engages in exchange and mutual learning
- Extend outreach and visibility by being part of a broad professional network, visibility in European social media and opportunities to meet other professionals from across Europe
- Explore funding opportunities by offering access to expertise and reliant partnerships
In addition to coursework and training, the Barnahus Network is also:
- Rolling out PROMISE Hub – a specialised case management software for Barnahus
- Establishing a professional network of Barnahus managers and social workers
- Regularly mapping existing Barnahus practice in Europe
- Engaging a working group on child participation to evaluate methodologies and tools to develop a participatory environment in Barnahus
- Reviewing the Barnahus Quality Standards, including a meaningful and safe child participation module
The network embraces a broad and diverse membership from across Europe and its near neighbourhood, drawing on existing and emerging partnerships with stakeholders from across Europe+ and across sectors. Together we are expanding the possibilities to support to all interested services and stakeholders, especially as new countries and services continually become engaged.
We seek services, organisations and individuals who fully embrace multi-disciplinary and interagency collaboration, promoting involvement and exchange from all relevant and interested sectors.
New membership applications are open on a rolling basis.
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Ms. Valeria Setti, European Commission coordinator for the Rights of the Child
Become a member
Improve practice
Have access to training, mentorship and practical tools, including University certified training in forensic interviews and therapy.
Gain recognition
Gain accreditation by having access to training, support, mentoring and tools to benchmark progress.
Share expertise and learning
Help shape the European Barnahus Movement by having access to a broad network which actively engages in exchange and mutual learning.
Extend outreach and visibility
Be a part of a broad professional network, visibility in European social media and opportunities to meet other professionals from across Europe.
Members have access to:
- Training – in-house, self-training, European competence centre
- Practical tools and guidance
- Child participation
- Exchange and mutual support
- Peer support through mentorship and training of trainers
- Advocacy and awareness-raising at national and European level
- Exchange and support internationally
Governance of the Network
General Assembly/European Barnahus Forum – The General Assembly meets at least once annually. Members have voting rights. The General Assembly approves the annual work plans, budget and operational and financial reports and elects steering group members. Associate members and network supporters are invited to join the General Assembly as observers.
Steering Group – The Steering Group guides and oversees the work of the network. The Steering Group is accountable to the General Assembly. The Steering Group functions include:
- To provide strategic direction, leadership and guidance
- To develop and support activities promoting the European Barnahus Movement, including project proposals;
- To make budgetary decisions, including activities which affect the budget;
- To approve or delay applications for membership of the network;
- In the longer term, to approve or delay applications for accreditation;
- To decide and inform in cases of loss of membership or in the longer term, accreditation.
- In the longer term, to publicise new accreditations, and award the accreditation publicly at the Barnahus Forum.
Secretariat – The Network’s Secretariat facilitates and carries out the decisions of the General Assembly and the Steering Group.
See the Network Statutes for complete information.