Available for consultation
Ophelia Mac Kwashie
Child Welfare Investigator, Licensed Trainer, Supervisor and Advisor in Signs of Safety (SofS)Nearly three decades of practice across Sweden, Canada and Iceland combining lived cultural experience with deep expertise in complex, cross-cultural child welfare cases.
Decades of global experience in child welfare
I am originally from Ghana in West Africa and have been living in Sweden since 1982. My cultural background has given me a deep understanding of families with different ethnic experiences, especially in relation to the work of social services. I have long and broad experience of child welfare investigations, both as an employee, consultant, trainer, supervisor and advisor.
Since 2001, I have worked with Signs of Safety (SofS) and supervised and trained over 170 municipalities in Sweden. Since October 2023, I have been the Chairman of the Board of Elia Home of Signs of Safety, the international organization that has the exclusive right to license social workers globally to become trainers and consultants in SofS.
I have particular experience of complex cases, including families with non-Nordic backgrounds, honor-related issues and cases involving families from the African continent. I often act as a bridge between families and social services where I support authorities in creating long-term, sustainable and legally secure plans for children and young people.
I have always had a strong passion for investigative work and have since worked in many different roles within government agencies, including the City of Stockholm and Nacka Municipality. Since 2005, I have worked as a consultant in complex child welfare cases around Sweden, in parallel with training and supervising social services nationally and internationally in SofS.
Leading Roles in International Implementation
Toronto, Canada
One of the leaders in the implementation of SofS at North America's largest social service, the Children's Aid Society in Toronto.
North AmericaIceland
Since May 2025, one of those leading the implementation of SofS throughout Icelandic child and youth care.
EuropeSweden
Continues to support a number of Swedish municipalities in their long-term implementation, working closely with both managers and social workers.
ScandinaviaBy taking a non-knowing and curious position, asking detailed questions about risk and resources, and involving the child and family network in the planning, we can build strong and sustainable solutions.
My experience spans several areas of activity within social services:
- Child and youth investigations (SoL and LVU)
- Family law
- Family home care
- Family treatment
- Social Psychiatry and the Adult Unit
- Reception and Investigation Unit
My Focus
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To always combine training, supervision and practical work so that the knowledge remains in the organization.
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To create security and structure in complex cases, without diminishing the concern that led to social services' contact with children, young people and their family/network.
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To contribute to a learning organization, where Signs of Safety becomes a natural part of the work regardless of personnel changes.
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Working with cultural competence and honor-related issues, where I often act as a bridge between families and authorities.