Field visits

Time: 09:30-10:30

Welcome to Uteseksjonen – The City Centre Outreach Service! In this field visit you will get to know how more about how we work!

Established in 1969, Uteseksjonen has been the outreach service of the City of Oslo, operating in the city centre for 56 years. We carry out the municipality’s street-based social and health outreach work in central Oslo. Most of Oslo’s 15 districts have their own local outreach services targeting vulnerable youth.

While Uteseksjonen works with all age groups, we have a particular focus on young people up to the age of 25. If someone needs help or is concerned about someone they know, they can contact us directly via our duty phone: +47 913 03 913.

Our staff of 48 full-time employees have backgrounds in social work and health care. Some of our employees are peer support workers with lived experience, which strengthens the user-centred approach in our work.

Our outreach work in Oslo City Centre:

Uteseksjonen has patrols out every day and evening throughout the year. On Friday and Saturday nights, we are present until 04:00. The patrols conduct fieldwork and outreach through systematic presence in the city centre.

We carry out mapping, documentation, and knowledge dissemination related to our work.

Support, follow-up and collaboration:

Our staff provide follow-up for residents and visitors in close collaboration with other support services and networks. Building good relationships, safeguarding privacy, trust, and user involvement are key elements of our work. Together, we build bridges between our users and the services needed to support both users and their families.

Advisory services:

Our advisory service at Maridalsveien 3 is open Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 15:00. No appointment is needed. Here you can:

• get answers to questions
• receive information about available support
• meet someone to talk to (social and health professionals)
• receive advice, follow-up and collaborative support

Low-threshold substance use and mental health services:

Our psychology service is low-threshold and offers support to young people under 25 who struggle with substance use and/or mental health issues and are not receiving help elsewhere. We can refer users to specialised interdisciplinary treatment (TSB).

We offer the Cannabis Withdrawal Programme (HAP) to those who want to quit or reduce their use of cannabis. If someone wants to try on their own, they can check out an app we developed in collaboration with RUSinfo. You can also have a non-committal conversation if you’re curious but unsure about quitting.

Drug and crime preventing collaboration (SaLTo):

Uteseksjonen coordinates drug and crime prevention efforts for young people up to the age of 23 in the city centre through our SaLTo coordinator. SaLTo stands for «Sammen lager vi et trygt Oslo» (Together we make a safe Oslo) and is a collaboration between The City of Oslo and Oslo Police District.

Special initiatives:

Currently, we have reinforced efforts in the following areas:

• Strengthened outreach in Vaterland (one of the open drug scenes in Oslo city centre)
• Employment support for young people who do not receive services in their local district

Uteseksjonen’s psychology service:

Psychological support without referral for young people under 25.

Oslo has developed its own standard with quality criteria and professional recommendations for outreach work with vulnerable youth:

• The Oslostandard for Outreach Work with Vulnerable Young People (PDF)

You will meet Stine Sundsbø Hollerud. She is a social educator with a master’s degree in behavioural science. She has worked in municipal health and care services for 20 years, primarily within the fields of substance use, youth work, and outreach services. Today, she is a team leader at Uteseksjonen in Oslo, with a particular focus on young people connected to open drug scenes in the city centre.

Time: 09:00-11:30

During this field visit, participants will be welcomed at Folkets Hjørne – The People’s Corner, LO’s visitors’ centre. Here you will gain insights into the role of the labour movement in Norwegian society, both historically and today, and learn how LO works to ensure fair, safe, and democratic working conditions.

The visit includes an introduction by Tiril Rustand Halvorsen from LO, followed by participation in Sammen – Together, LO’s interactive learning game about working life.

Sammen is a role-playing game in four acts that takes participants on a journey through the history and development of Norwegian working life. Through realistic simulations, you will:

• Experience the injustices faced by workers in a matchstick factory in 1889.
• Learn about the development of collective bargaining.
• Take on the role of union representatives.
• Participate in a simulated LO congress.

The game encourages reflection and engagement, highlighting how the labour movement has shaped Norwegian society and continues to face new challenges. It provides a deeper understanding of the tripartite cooperation model between trade unions, employers, and the state – a cornerstone of democracy, social rights, and economic stability in Norway.

Folkets Hjørne aims to be an open and inclusive arena where young people, students, immigrants, and members of the labour movement can learn more about labour rights, solidarity, and participation in working life.

Time: 09:00-11:00

Dislocated workshop
Queer competency in the child welfare system from an intersectional lens

Facilitators: Rosa kompetanse barnevern (Pink competency child welfare) & Skeiv Verden (Queer World)

Objectives: This workshop aims to enhance the knowledge of child welfare professionals on gender and sexual diversity, ensuring that LGBT+ children, youth, and families receive equitable and tailored support from the system. By integrating insights from the 2020 report Skeive barn og unge i barnevernet, the session will address the gaps in competence among child welfare staff.

Target Audience: Social workers and child welfare professionals, students in social work and child welfare studies, and other relevant actors working with children and families.

Workshop Description: The workshop provides a comprehensive introduction to LGBTQ+ issues in child welfare services, with a particular focus on intersectionality, ensuring that professionals understand the diverse experiences of queer youth, especially those from multicultural backgrounds. The session includes both theoretical insights and practical applications, equipping participants with tools to create inclusive and supportive environments.

Activities include:

• Lecture & Discussion: Foundational knowledge on gender identity, sexual orientation, and minority stress in child welfare.
• Case Studies & Group Work: Analysis of real-life scenarios to develop best practices for handling sensitive cases.
• Interactive Reflection: Self-assessment exercises to identify biases and improve cultural competence.
• Resource Exploration: Guidance on using the updated online tool www.lhbtibarnevern.no for everyday professional practice.

Learning Outcomes: By the end of the workshop, participants will:

• Understand key concepts related to gender and sexual diversity in child welfare.
• Recognize the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ youth in care.
• Develop strategies to ensure inclusive and respectful interactions with children and families.
• Gain familiarity with digital resources to support continuous learning and best practices.

Time: 13:30-15:00

On this field visit, you will meet the preventive youth team in the Sagene district of Oslo. The team works with young people aged 12–23 who face challenges related to school, employment, leisure activities, substance use, and crime.

You will get insight into how the team provides both individual follow-up and group programs, always tailored to the needs and situations of the young people themselves.

The team is made up of social workers, outreach workers, and a substance abuse counselor, and works in close collaboration with youth clubs, schools, child welfare services, and other agencies in the district. The visit will give you the opportunity to learn how this cooperation creates a coordinated and comprehensive approach to supporting young people in vulnerable situations.

Time: 13:00-14:30

Who are we?
Gatestemmer (literally “Street Voices”) is a Norwegian project inspired by the Danish initiative Gadens Stemmer. It is run by the Association for Humane Drug Policy.

The project has three main goals:

1. To create meaningful work and activities for people who have fallen outside the ordinary labor market.
2. To improve the quality of life for participants.
3. To raise awareness in society—through schools, universities, and the general public—about life on the margins and the realities of drug policy.

What to expect on the tour
During this unique city walk, you will be guided by Janne, who has lived through the challenges of life on the street. The walk will take you to different places in Oslo that hold personal significance for her.

At each stop, Janne will share stories from her own life—moments of struggle, resilience, and hope. You will also learn about key events and turning points in Norwegian drug policy.

This is not a traditional guided tour, but an authentic encounter with lived experience. By listening to Janne’s voice and reflections, you gain rare insight into the realities of addiction, homelessness, and survival—and into the importance of dignity, inclusion, and policy change.

https://gatestemmer.no/

Time: 09:00-11:30

Ragna Ringdal Day Centre is a service offering meaningful daily activities for adults with intellectual disabilities. The centre is a non-profit foundation established in 1953.

The centre is organized into five different departments, each tailored to meet different needs. In total, around 90 individuals attend the centre, supported by approximately 120 staff members.

All services and activities are individually designed to meet the unique needs, abilities, and interests of each person. We offer a wide range of activities, including creative activities, physical exercise, music, sensory stimulation, gardening. .

The visit to Ragna Ringdal Day Centre will include a presentation about the organization and how we incorporate the UN Sustainable Development Goals into our daily practice. Our vision is “a good everyday life”, and our work is guided by the purpose clause of the Norwegian Health and Care Services Act, which emphasizes an active and meaningful life in community with others.

The centre also features a sensory garden with fruit trees and raised garden beds, where several departments grow vegetables together.

Time: 13:15-14:45

WayBack is a non-profit foundation that works for inmates return to society.

On this field visit you will learn about how we work. We focus on coordinating the relationships between various agencies such as NAV, educational institution, doctor, drug addiction care etc.
This means that the transition to freedom is facilitated for the individual on his and her own terms.

Our objectives are that inmates who are to be released get a better basis for building a crime- and drug-free life if they are motivated to do so.

We want to help those who come out after completing their sentence so that they have an easier transition into society and do not return to crime and drug addiction.

WayBack for whom?

If you are serving time and are about to be released – or have recently been released – and you have decided that you want to live a life free of drug abuse and crime, WayBack may be for you.

Time: 13:30-15:00

“Through a stronger presence in the Søndre Nordstrand district, we aim to jointly deliver solutions for the benefit of society.” (OsloMet University Board, May 12, 202)2

OsloMet-Holmlia is a project that seeks to connect and anchor OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University’s strategy to local and regional community development. By collaborating with institutions at the district level, conducting research to identify local opportunities and challenges, facilitating practice-based education, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, the project aims to strengthen the life opportunities of children and youth, promote access to higher education, and reduce social inequality.

Children and youth are a prioritized target group. OsloMet’s presence and visibility in the community hold significant value, offering children and young people a first encounter with a university. Through extensive collaboration with schools and local actors, initiatives are developed in which OsloMet students from various professional education programs play a central role as resources and role models. Experiences from the project provide valuable insight into how educational choices and self-efficacy are influenced by social and structural factors.

OsloMet-Holmlia serves as a hub for student practice placements, where the district becomes both a professional and societal context for interdisciplinary collaboration. By equipping students with knowledge and experience of the area, its population, and its services, the project aims to enhance the relevance of professional education to the multicultural realities of Oslo.

OsloMet-Holmlia exemplifies how academia can combine its societal mission with local engagement to strengthen its relevance. By integrating education and research, practice-based learning, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing across disciplines, OsloMet-Holmlia contributes to social sustainability and inclusive community development – fully aligned with OsloMet’s strategic goals.

Time: 09:00-10:30

Fafo is an independent social science research institute, founded by the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions. The Norwegian Union of Social Educators and Social Workers (FO) is a member of this confederation.

Fafo delivers critical, action-oriented research on welfare policy and working life. Our research covers topics such as the design of welfare services and benefits, living conditions, marginalization and integration, as well as labour market issues.

Fafo is an outward-looking research institute that works in close contact and dialogue with users and practitioners. We have a large number of collaboration partners and a broad academic network in Norway and abroad. We wish to create interesting meeting places and we are active communicators of the knowledge generated from our projects. We are proud of the fact that key decision makers give credence to Fafo’s research in important decision-making processes.

We will present an overview of Fafo’s research on social policy and social work issues, and some projects on welfare services, poverty, housing, child protection and how vulnerable groups experience their encounter with these services. Meet our researchers Ketil Bråthen, Inger Lise Skog Hansen, Anne Hege Strand, Anne Kielland and Arne Backer Grønningsæter. This field visits give an opportunity for networking on research.

For more information about Fafo: www.fafo.no

Time: 09:30-11:00

At Teisen in Oslo, elder care and early childhood education come together in a unique and meaningful way. The Salvation Army operates Teisentoppen Kindergarten in one of Oslo’s socially challenged neighborhoods, offering children a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment. A dedicated family consultant—working as a social worker within the kindergarten—supports families facing poverty, isolation, and other life challenges, helping parents focus on being the best caregivers they can be. 

Next door, Teisen Omsorg+ is a residential and activity center for people aged 67 and older who need adapted housing. The center offers safety services, daily hot meals, and a rich program of activities and cultural events. Volunteers and staff work together to create a warm, social, and empowering environment for residents. 

During the visit, you will experience Generasjonssang—a heartwarming activity where children and older adults come together through music, building connections across generations and strengthening the local community. 

Generational Singing – Building Bridges Through Music 

Generasjonssang is a warm and inclusive activity where children from Teisentoppen Kindergarten and older residents at Teisen Omsorg+ come together through music. The goal is to foster meaningful relationships across generations, create joy, and strengthen the sense of community. 

How it works: 

• Children and older adults meet regularly to sing familiar and simple songs together. 

• The sessions are led by staff from both the kindergarten and the elder care center, and are designed to be enjoyable and accessible for all participants. 

• Singing together encourages conversation, laughter, and shared memories—giving both children and seniors a sense of connection and belonging. 

• For many older participants, this is a highlight of their week. For the children, it’s a valuable experience in empathy, respect, and social interaction. 

Generational Singing is a beautiful example of how Teisentoppen Kindergarten and Teisen Omsorg+ collaborate to create meaningful meeting places and strengthen intergenerational bonds. 

Time: 13:30-15:30

The Health Centre for Undocumented Migrants: operates by the Church City Mission in collaboration with the Red Cross. With the help of 140 volunteers, it provides essential and multidisciplinary healthcare services to undocumented migrants in Norway.

As Norway have restricted undocumented migrants’ rights and access to healthcare, the centre has a crucial role in offering medical care, mental health support, and counseling.

In addition to provision of healthcare, the centre advocate for improved health rights for undocumented migrants and aim to improve patients’ access to healthcare.

The Department for Destitute Migrants (Kirkens Bymisjon – Fattige tilreisende – English) is at the forefront of supporting some of the most vulnerable EU migrants in Norway who encounter major barriers to integration and accessing essential services. 

At our Centre, you will meet a dynamic, multidisciplinary, and multilingual team of social workers bringing diverse backgrounds and expertise together to provide holistic care. Our mission is twofold: to meet immediate human needs with dignity, and to challenge discrimination and exploitation at their roots.  During your visit, you will gain first-hand insight into our comprehensive services, which include our (off-site) emergency shelter, guidance and counselling, legal aid, clothes distribution and laundry/storage services. More than just support, these interventions embody an ethos of empowerment and inclusion. 

Time: 09:30-11.00

The Salvation Army’s Street Soccer is a low-threshold initiative for people experiencing homelessness, substance abuse, former incarceration, and other vulnerable life situations. 

We work with recognized professional methods, where team play is our core approach in meeting participants. The program includes both men’s and women’s teams, with around 1,333 active players nationwide—1,006 men and 327 women. The Street Soccer network consists of 25 local clubs across five regions in Norway. 

In 2024, we welcomed 19,976 registered players and collaborated with 1,175 volunteers. 

Each year, we host the Norwegian Championship in Street Soccer, gathering around 400 players from across the country. We also run the Street Soccer League, a quarterly tournament series. These two competitions form the basis for selecting players for the national team, which represents Norway in the Nordic Championship and the Homeless World Cup. 

Program for Practice Visit – October 7th, 09:30–11:00 
Location: Ensjøveien 23, Meeting Room BRUA, 6th floor (next to Ensjø metro station) 

Welcome by: Rune Isegran and Signe Haukvik Haugen 

• Introduction and background of The Salvation Army Street Soccer 

• Values and professional framework 

• Experience and model 

• Research and development 

• National team and the Homeless World Cup in Oslo 2025 

• Questions and reflections 

We look forward to welcoming you!