A guide for parents dealing with LVU in Sweden
If your child is placed in a foster home (“familjehem”) under Swedish LVU law, and you, as the biological parent, feel something is wrong — maybe the child is not doing well, the foster home lacks proper care, or agreements are not being followed — it’s completely understandable that you want to act.
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Many parents in this situation wonder: Should I report the foster home?
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It may seem like the only way to protect your child. But what actually happens if you report them? And if your goal is to bring your child home — is that the best way forward?
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Who Can You Report To?
There are two main options for reporting concerns:
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1. Social Services (“socialtjänsten”)
You can always contact the social services office that is responsible for your child’s placement. They have ongoing supervision of the foster home and are legally required to investigate any reports about neglect or other serious issues.
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2. The Health and Social Care Inspectorate (IVO)
IVO (Inspektionen för vård och omsorg) is the national agency that oversees the work of social services. You can report to IVO if:
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You believe social services are not following the law
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You feel they are not acting on serious concerns
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You think they are neglecting their responsibilities for your child
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What Happens After a Report?
Both social services and IVO are legally obligated to receive and assess your report. However, it’s important to understand:
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Most reports do not lead to any concrete action
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It usually requires very clear, well-documented evidence of harm or neglect for authorities to take steps
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It is rare for a single report to result in a child being moved from a foster home or returned to the biological parent
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This can be incredibly frustrating — especially if you feel no one is listening.
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What Should You Consider Before Reporting?
If you have serious and well-founded concerns that your child is being mistreated or is unsafe, a report may be appropriate. But if your real goal is to have your child returned home, you should think carefully before making a report.
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⚠️ Why? Because if the report is seen as unsubstantiated, repeated, or without proof, it may affect how you are perceived in future legal proceedings. Some professionals may interpret it as an attempt to sabotage the placement, even if your true intention is simply to protect your child.
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What Can You Do Instead?
If your goal is to bring your child home, it is usually more effective to submit a formal request for return — known as a “hemtagningsbegäran.”
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A hemtagningsbegäran is a legal request asking social services (or sometimes the administrative court) to reconsider the placement and assess whether your child can safely return to your care.
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To be successful, you’ll need to show that the reasons for the original LVU placement have changed. For example:
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You have stabilized your living situation
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You have received support or treatment (e.g., parenting classes, addiction treatment, therapy)
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Your home environment is now safe and appropriate for the child
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This process is assessed based on what is best for the child (“barnets bästa”), but it gives you a clear legal pathway to have the matter reviewed seriously.
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Summary
As a biological parent in Sweden, you have the right to report a foster home to either social services or IVO if you believe your child is not being cared for properly. But in reality, such reports rarely lead to a change in placement or restoration of custody.
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If your main goal is to bring your child home, your energy is usually better spent showing that you can provide safety, stability, and care, and making a formal request to end the placement through a hemtagningsbegäran.
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It’s not an easy or quick road — but it’s the one most likely to be taken seriously and to actually change your child’s future.
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Need help preparing a hemtagningsbegäran or finding a lawyer who understands LVU law and speaks English? We can assist you in understanding your rights and connecting you with a qualified legal expert in Sweden. Help line: +46 455 100 70.
