City Council considers Wednesday response to Børne- og ungebyrådets wellbeing proposal

On Wednesday 4 November 2026, Aarhus City Council will consider the Children and Young People executive department’s recommendation on strengthened wellbeing in the folkeskole. The Municipal Executive recommends that the byråd (city council) adopt three points on greater pupil council involvement and intensified communication about Center for Trivsel.

What it means for you

If the byråd adopts the recommendation, schools are advised to involve pupil councils further in work on class communities, klassens tid (dedicated class community time), and fewer teacher changes and supply hours. Communication about Center for Trivsel must at the same time be intensified towards young people, and pupil councils are advised to be involved in local outreach at each school. For children and young people aged 5–17 and their parents, Center for Trivsel remains the gateway to help, while Socialkompasset continues to provide an overview of the municipality’s offers.

Background

In spring 2026, Børne- og ungebyrådet proposed a greater focus on wellbeing in the folkeskole. They pointed to changing teachers and more supply staff as sources of insecurity and lack of continuity, and they wanted, among other things, updated wellbeing tests, more time for community-building activities such as klassens tid, and a shared platform for wellbeing initiatives in Aarhus. (Appendix — Appendix 1: Decision proposal Børne- og ungebyrådet 27.05.2026)

The byråd sent the proposal to the Children and Young People executive department on 17 June 2026 for a recommendation back via the Municipal Executive. The recommendation of 6 October 2026 responds that much of the request aligns with existing frameworks: local practice development under Omstillingsplanen, schools’ supply models with familiar adults, klassens tid under the Folkeskole Act, and Center for Trivsel as a single gateway. The national wellbeing survey is governed by the Ministry of Children and Education; Aarhus Municipality cannot change the questionnaire on its own. An upcoming national revision is expected to place greater weight on individual pupils’ wellbeing. (Appendix — Recommendation)

On 27 October 2026, the Municipal Executive recommended that the byråd adopt the recommendation. Alderman for the Technical and Environmental executive department Nicolaj Bang and alderman for Culture and Citizen Service Jesper Kjeldsen were unable to take part in consideration of the case.

Figures and facts

• Omstillingsplanen for Børn og Unge has prioritised approximately 80 million kroner over three school years (2025–2028) for local practice development and better learning environments. (Appendix — Recommendation)
• In practice there is roughly one lesson per week for klassens tid at each grade level, equivalent to 30 teaching hours per year. (Appendix — Recommendation)
• Center for Trivsel serves children and young people aged 5–17 and their parents. (Appendix — Recommendation)
• The national wellbeing survey questionnaire has been unchanged since 2014/2015. (Appendix — Recommendation)
• The byråd considered the proposal for the first time on 17 June 2026; the Municipal Executive considered the recommendation on 27 October 2026. (Agenda — Response to proposal from Børne- og ungebyrådet on strengthened wellbeing and greater focus on existing wellbeing efforts for children and young people)
• The byråd reconsidered the case on Wednesday 4 November 2026. (Aarhus Municipality meeting documents — meeting)

Who said what

In the June debate, several parties backed executive department processing. Alderman Thomas Medom (SF) acknowledged the need for more stability and pointed to Center for Trivsel as a cornerstone, while the question of the national wellbeing survey requires broader support outside the municipality. (Appendix — City council debate 17.06.2026)

Matilde Dueholm (S) responded positively to the wish for continuous, familiar adults and clearer access to wellbeing offers. Nanna Lippert (SF) stressed that the main effort should lie in calm and time for teachers, pedagogues, and after-school care (SFO), and that more pupil surveys are not the way forward. Martin Christensen (V) acknowledged concern about supply staff and turnover, but reminded the meeting that absence and job changes are part of any workplace; the ambition should be smooth transitions and better communication with young people.

Jeppe Ulrich Lomholt (EL) pointed out that Socialkompasset already exists and that the proposal therefore mainly reveals a awareness gap. Louise Svenstrup (LA) noted that Center for Trivsel has already tried outreach via posters, bus stops, and Aula, but that the message clearly does not reach young people well enough. Thomas Kastrup Christensen (DF) praised the proposal and opened the door to looking more closely at local wellbeing data and previous initiatives.

What happens next

On Wednesday 4 November 2026, the byråd must decide whether to adopt the recommendation’s three points. The Municipal Executive recommends adoption. If the recommendation is adopted, the advice goes to schools, and the municipality’s communication about Center for Trivsel is intensified with pupil councils as local partners.

Sources

• Agenda — Response to proposal from Børne- og ungebyrådet on strengthened wellbeing and greater focus on existing wellbeing efforts for children and young people
• Appendix — Recommendation
• Appendix — Appendix 1: Decision proposal Børne- og ungebyrådet 27.05.2026
• Appendix — City council debate 17.06.2026
• Aarhus Municipality meeting documents — meeting
• Aarhus Kommune