Norwegian child care centre Buan Farm ordered to close due to unsafe operations and financial instability

The Trøndelag County Governor in Norway ordered the closure of Buan Farm Care and Development Centre after an inspection prompted by a report of concern received in June. The institution was deemed as operating unsafely, according to Marita Ugseth, the Deputy Director at the County Governor’s office in Trøndelag. The inspection revealed that nearly half of the staff were on sick leave, with inadequate replacement staff. Only one person was found working during the inspection. “This person was working alone for four days, only relieved by the managing director at nights,” stated the official report. It was also found that the institution’s financial situation was affecting the care provided to the children in the facility.

The institution, which has been operational for a short period and is approved for a small group of residents, has three weeks to lodge an appeal against the decision.

However, Ivar Buan, the Chairman of the institution, believes the decision is an overreaction. “This is a difficult and frustrating situation for the couple running the farm. We wish child services had more patience with our financial situation,” he said. The couple has even attempted to sell their private cabin in a bid to save the institution’s finances.

At the time of closure, one child was residing at the institution. “Both the child and the parents want the child to continue staying here,” Buan said. Trude Buan, the Managing Director of Buan Farm, added, “We feel very badly treated. It’s difficult to collaborate with the government, which we believe is detrimental to both the children and us. We would like to appeal the decision, but our poor finances would require significant resources for a lawyer to do so.”