Tonje Steen

About

Current Roles

• Assistant Professor, Department of Social Work, Child Welfare and Social Policy at OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University
• Programme Coordinator for the Bachelor's Programme in Child Welfare
• Course Coordinator for BV2700 Child Welfare Work
• Course Coordinator for BV1400 Psychosocial Work: Neglect, Violence and Sexual Abuse
• Academic Lead for Skills Training in Professional Communication and Interaction
• Chair of the National Council for Education and Research in Child Welfare (UHR-HS)

Background

I am a qualified Child Welfare Professional with additional postgraduate training and hold master's degrees in International Social Development and Psychosocial Work, the latter with a specialisation in violence and trauma. My master's theses examined children's rights and protection in an international context, and children's perceptions of child welfare services following experiences of domestic violence. 

Prior to joining OsloMet, I worked across several areas of the child welfare and welfare service systems, including municipal child welfare services, emergency child protection services, residential child care, inpatient Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, regional teams within the Norwegian Directorate for Children, Youth and Family Affairs (Bufetat), and child welfare divisions within the Norwegian Directorate for Children, Youth and Family Affairs (Bufdir). My professional experience includes direct work with children, young people and families, emergency and crisis intervention, residential therapeutic care, supervision, project management, competence development, and service development at both local and national levels.

I have also worked internationally in development and humanitarian settings, particularly in child protection in situations of war, conflict and natural disasters, with a focus on psychosocial support and capacity-building within services for vulnerable children and families.

Research and Professional Interests

My research and professional interests include child welfare investigations, assessment and decision-making processes, emergency and crisis intervention, including domestic violence, children's and parents' participation, and interagency collaboration.

I am also interested in professional competence development and in how student-centred learning approaches and skills-based training can strengthen future child welfare practitioners' capacity to act effectively in complex professional situations.