Gällivare Municipality in northern Sweden faces a 500,000 kronor fine after social services repeatedly failed to listen to children in custody cases. An external investigation previously criticized how officials handled placements of children in foster care.
The review found social workers made decisions against children's expressed wishes. In some cases, children were returned to homes where they had experienced violence.
Three new cases emerged this year after the initial investigation promised reforms. Social services continued to disregard children's opinions in all recent instances.
Municipal officials must now create a new action plan alongside the financial penalty. The fine comes from Sweden's inspection authority for health and care.
Helena Hagegren, the new social services director, acknowledged systemic failures. She cited high staff turnover and underperforming consultants as contributing factors.
"We now approach legal security differently," Hagegren said in a statement. She confirmed the municipality failed to systematically follow established procedures.
Gällivare sits in Sweden's northern Norrbotten County, an area facing challenges in maintaining public services. The repeated failures suggest deeper organizational issues beyond individual cases.
The municipality's inability to correct problems even after formal criticism raises concerns about accountability in Sweden's child protection systems.