49 Visits, Follow-ups and Results in 2020 SOME RESULTS IN 2020 Changes to physical circumstances The child welfare institution Buskerud and Vestfold emergency youth centre, Barkåker, had a separate room that was known as the “segregation room”. The room was similar to a holding cell; it was frightening and unsuitable for safeguarding the integrity and dignity of children and adolescents. The room was only to be used in acute situations; however, during the visit we discovered that the room had also been used for body searches. The NPM also criticised the fact that the institution had locked external doors. Subsequent to the visit report, the institution had carried out a thorough follow-up process in line with recommendations. Among other things, the “segregation room” was eliminated, the lock ­mechanism on the main door was changed to enable opening from the inside, and all door handles that were spherical and difficult to open were replaced. Improvements in documentation of the use of coercion Thorough documentation of the use of coercion is decisive for legal protection of persons who are deprived of their liberty. Administrative decisions must be recorded in a manner that enable the person they apply to, supervisory authorities and others, to understand why coercion has been used and if the required conditions are met. After the visit to the child welfare institution Olivia Solhaugen, the institution amended its procedures for completing coercion protocols. The new procedures make it clear that coercion protocols must be reviewed with the child as soon as possible after the use of coercion, and that the protocol must be reviewed with the child prior to them moving out. If a review cannot be carried out before the child moves out, the institution must The so-called “isolation room” at Barkåker. A white room with two frosted windows and a single mattress on the floor in an otherwise bare room. ensure that the coercion protocol is sent to the child’s new residential address. After the visit to the child welfare institution Humana East, section Jessheim and Hol, the institution improved training, for instance by engaging a staff member in a full-time position to work system­ atically on training. As a part of this effort, a new training was introduced on how administrative decisions and protocols are to be documented.

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