Social services and care
Legal assistance in LVU cases
Has social services opened an investigation, taken your child into immediate care or applied for compulsory care under LVU? Our lawyers help children, young people and guardians understand the proceedings, review the evidence and protect their rights.
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What is compulsory care under LVU?
LVU is the Swedish abbreviation for the Care of Young Persons (Special Provisions) Act. It allows compulsory care when there is a substantial risk of harm to a child’s or young person’s health or development and the necessary care cannot be provided voluntarily.
Compulsory care may be considered because of:
- abuse, neglect or other serious conditions in the home
- substance misuse, criminal activity or other socially harmful behaviour by the young person.
LVU mainly applies to children under 18. In certain cases involving the young person’s own behaviour, care may also be ordered for someone who is 18 or 19. The best interests of the child or young person must guide decisions under the Act.
How LVU proceedings work
The municipal social welfare committee investigates the child’s circumstances and applies to the administrative court for a care order. The court reviews the written evidence and will normally hold an oral hearing before deciding whether compulsory care is necessary.
In an urgent situation, the social welfare committee may order that the child or young person be taken into immediate care. The administrative court must then review the decision promptly.
The child or young person and their guardians will normally each be appointed public counsel. Public counsel explains the proceedings, presents the client’s position and protects the client’s rights. The state pays the cost of this representation.
Your rights during the proceedings
As a party to an LVU case, you must be given an opportunity to present your account, respond to the information submitted by social services and provide relevant evidence. You may also request a particular lawyer as your public counsel, although the court decides who will be appointed.
An administrative court decision ordering compulsory care may be appealed to the Administrative Court of Appeal. Certain decisions made by the social welfare committee during the care period may also be appealed, including some decisions concerning placement or restrictions on contact between the child and their guardians.
You must act within the deadline stated in the decision and explain what outcome you are requesting and why.
How we can help you
We help you understand the authorities’ assessment and present your position clearly and effectively throughout the proceedings.
Legal assessment and advice
We review your situation, explain the applicable rules and identify the issues that are likely to be central to the case.
Review of the investigation
We examine the social services investigation, care plan and supporting documents and help you respond to disputed or incomplete information.
Public counsel and court representation
We can represent you as public counsel and present your case at the oral hearing before the administrative court.
Appeals and decisions during care
We help you assess and appeal a care order or another appealable decision made while the child or young person is in care.
Get legal assistance with your LVU case
Schedule a 15-minute meeting with a lawyer to review and discuss your situation.
If you need further assistance, we’ll explain your options, how we can assist you, and what it would cost. If you hire us for your case, the cost of the first 15 minutes will be deducted from your final bill.
Talk to a lawyer
15-minute legal consultation
A brief meeting for quick guidance. Get answers to your questions, understand your rights and options, and learn how to move forward.
Need more help? You can also schedule a longer meeting with a lawyer for assistance with a specific task or a more complex situation.
Concerned about the cost? In some cases, part of the cost may be covered by legal expenses insurance or legal aid. We also offer payment plans through Klarna. Learn more about costs and financing →
Get help from our lawyers
An LVU case can move quickly and have serious consequences for the entire family. Speak to one of our lawyers when you need help understanding the evidence, preparing for a hearing or presenting your position.
Florita Telhaj
Lawyer
Florita specializes in migration law, business law, contract law, and employment law. In addition to Swedish and English, Florita is also fluent in Albanian and Greek.
Wazima M. Aga
Lawyer
Wazima is deeply committed to protecting individual rights and practices immigration law, administrative law, social welfare law, family law, and contract law. She speaks Swedish, English, Persian, and Dari.
Aja Wadii
Lawyer
Aja specializes in migration law, family law, and criminal law. In addition to Swedish and English, Aja also speaks Arabic.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the care of young persons (special provisions) act (lvu)
The social welfare committee applies for a care order, but the administrative court decides whether the child or young person must receive compulsory care. The committee is then responsible for arranging the care.
It is an emergency decision that may be made when compulsory care is likely to be required and waiting for the court’s decision could place the young person at risk or obstruct the investigation. The administrative court must review the decision promptly.
You may request a particular lawyer. The court makes the appointment, but it may accept your request if the lawyer is suitable and available to take the case.
Yes. An administrative court decision ordering compulsory care may be appealed to the Administrative Court of Appeal. The decision explains how to appeal and gives the applicable deadline.
Let a lawyer contact you
Tell us briefly about your situation, and we’ll get back to you within one business day to schedule a video consultation.