Information to the expert in the dialogue process

As an expert, you are part of the “host team” in the dialogue meeting, together with the Tribunal chair. Your role is not investigative, but facilitative. You contribute professional perspectives that help the parties explore the child’s needs and work towards finding good solutions.

• bring in child‑centred expertise and additional perspectives
• support the dialogue and contribute to a safe atmosphere that allows for creativity
• promote reflection on the child’s needs and the child’s best interests
• help unpack complex issues in a way that is understandable and manageable
• support the work on temporary arrangements by highlighting the child’s situation

As an expert, you must:
• ask open questions that promote reflection
• highlight the child’s perspective and needs
• contribute to understanding dynamics, communication and interaction during the meeting
• support the parties in reflecting on their own proposed agreements and how these will work in practice for everyone involved
• collaborate closely with the Tribunal chair on structure, process and the thematic agenda

You must not:
• make decisions
• act as an investigator or therapist
• provide reality‑orientation on behalf of the Tribunal

You may be assigned limited tasks, for example:
• a child interview
• observation of parts of a temporary arrangement

The mandate must be clear and limited. You do not participate as an investigator.

• neutrality and objectivity
• respect and integrity in meeting all parties
• the child’s best interests as the overarching consideration
• strict protection of confidentiality
 

You and the Tribunal Chair share responsibility for:
• structure and progress in the process
• assessing whether temporary arrangements should be initiated
• managing challenges that arise along the way

You may request breaks when professional clarification is needed.

Before you can be appointed as an expert in a dialogue process, you must submit a police certificate of conduct. The requirement follows from Section 12‑11, fourth paragraph, of the Child Welfare Act.

The police certificate of conduct is a child‑care certificate. It shows whether you have convictions or ongoing investigations related to, among other things:
• sexual offences
• violence
• drug offences
(Police Registry Act Sections 39 and 43)

How to apply for a police certificate of conduct
• Apply digitally via the police website.
• Select “Child welfare and supervision during contact” → purpose “Experts appointed by the tribunal or the court under the Child Welfare Act”.
• You should not upload documentation from the tribunal.
• The processing time is normally up to 14 days, so apply as early as possible.

When you receive the certificate, upload it in the Case Portal. The tribunal may appoint you once the certificate shows no remarks.

Previously submitted police certificate of conduct
You do not need to apply again if you have previously submitted a certificate as an expert for the child welfare tribunal. If you have submitted a certificate for another purpose, you must provide a new one.

Current rate
Experts in a dialogue process receive NOK 1,190 per hour. The rate is set by the Central Unit.

Determination of remuneration
The Tribunal Chair determines the remuneration. As a general rule, up to four hours are compensated for preparation. If you need more time, you must clarify this with the Tribunal Chair.

Cancelled meetings
• If the meeting is cancelled later than two working days before it is scheduled, you will be compensated for two hours.
• No compensation is provided if the meeting becomes shorter than planned.

Travel absence
You may be compensated for travel time and other absence:
• 08:00–16:00: compensation for travel time and other absence
• Outside these hours: travel time only
• 22:00–06:00: no compensation

Compensation is provided for absence exceeding 30 minutes. When the absence exceeds 30 minutes, the entire period is compensated – not only the portion exceeding 30 minutes.

Travel absence is not compensated if the state saves money by you staying at the location rather than travelling back and forth.

Submitting claims for fees and travel expenses
When the assignment is completed, you must submit your claim using one of the following options:
• DFØ’s online portal (login via ID-porten)
• The app DFØ Selvbetjening (first login via ID‑porten)

The tribunal must request access for you the first time you use the system.

You may use the paper form if you have reserved yourself against electronic communication or for other reasons cannot use digital solutions.

DFØ – contact and support
DFØ provides guidance on technical questions:
• Phone: 400 18 659
• Email: lonn@dfo.no
• Opening hours: 08:00–15:30
(15 May–15 September: 08:00–15:00)

Payroll item
Fee claims are registered under Payroll item 5534: Honorarium committee.

Travel receipts and other documentation
For payment to be approved, you must attach necessary documentation, preferably as PDF. In the app you may take photos of receipts.

You must attach:
• receipts for travel expenses (exception: tolls and the cheapest public transport)
• receipts for other expenses
• documentation for flights showing route, date, price, and name
(boarding pass or electronic screenshot is sufficient)