Comparability
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Welfare and Health, Social StatisticsMarko Malic
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These statistics have been compiled since 2015 and are comparable throughout the whole period - when taking into account the reorganization of categories in 2017, and a generally higher quality of data, especially from 2016 to 2017. The reorganization consisted mainly of a reduction in the number of notifier and cause categories. The categories were also corrected back to earlier years to make the statistics more comparable.
New causes for notifications of concern were added in 2022. The addition of these can contribute to weaker comparability. But these additions are minor and do not overlap or replace previously reported data.
The statistics deal with notifications during the whole year. In comparison, the other two statistics on disadvantaged children and youth are status based.
The statistics are partly comparable internationally, for instance corresponding statistics in Sweden, Norway, and to some degree Finland.
Comparability - geographical
Similar statistics are compiled in many other countries. However, the statistics are not subject to any EU regulation or compiled in accordance with other international guidelines. Therefore, these statistics can be compared internationally, but not necessarily directly.
Comparability over time
The available data cover the period from January 1, 2015, through December 31, 2023. The data were initially collected by The Danish Social Appeals Board (Ankestyrelsen), and from 2016 onwards by Statistics Denmark. The statistics are comparable throughout the whole period when taking into account the reorganization in 2017, and a generally higher quality of data, especially from 2016 and 2017. The quality of data has increased as a consequence of intensified validation in cooperation with the municipalities.
In 2017, the statistics underwent a considerable reorganization where the categories regarding, among others, the notifier and notification causes, were reduced from 16 to 11 and from 29 to 16 categories. During the process, previous categories were converted to new ones, which are applicable after the reorganization. Furthermore, two new notification causes were added. For more information, see underretningsårsager and underretter-kategorier.
Comments and status on municipal approvals from 2017-2022:
2022: All 98 municipalities have approved data. Næstved Municipality has a known difference of 60 notifications.
2021: All 98 municipalities have approved data. The amount of notifications for Randers Municipality is slightly underestimated ca. 70 cases. The municipality of Syddjurs has identified and removed ca. 300 duplicates. The total amount of notifications for 2021 is therefore lesser compared to previous periods.
2020: All 98 municipalities have approved data.
2019: All 98 municipalities have approved data. In 2019 it was established that at least one municipality had a practice of registering one cause per notification - also in those instances where several causes were the case. The formulation regarding the correct practice of indicating the causes of a given notification has been clarified in the Executive Order on Data Transmission in the Social Policy Area and communicated to the municipalities. It is therefore expected that this cause of underestimation will be minimal in the future. In 2019, Statistics Denmark has been made aware that at least one municipality (Randers Municipality) registers notifications of concern in 2 different departments, resulting in one department not reporting their notifications to Statistics Denmark during the whole period. The overall amount of notifications for Randers Municipality is therefore underestimated as follows: 2016: 41, 2017: 19, 2018: 32, 2019: 39, 2020: 78, 2021: 70. Furthermore, Statistics Denmark has been made aware that notifications of concern regarding Læsø Municipality in the period 2016-2018, were calculated as notifications from Frederikshavn Municipality. The number of these is low, and the error is/will be corrected in the future.
2018: 94 municipalities have approved data. Aalborg, Gribskov, Horsens, and Sønderborg Municipalities could not approve their data for the year 2018. In the cases of Gribskov and Sønderborg, the number of notifications is underestimated. The numbers concerning Horsens Municipality can be over or underestimated.
2017: 97 municipalities have approved data. Municipality of Aalborg could not approve their data, due to IT- issues. The number of notifications for 2017 in Ikast-Brande Municipality is overestimated.
Coherence - cross domain
The statistics are related to statistics on preventive measures and out-of-home placements of children and youth, as a notification of concern can occur before a child or a young person is granted a preventive measure or placed in out-of-home care.
Coherence - internal
Not relevant for these statistics.