Holbæk Municipality has reversed its decision to close Hjembækskolen, a private special school for young people with psychological challenges, after admitting to serious administrative mistakes. The reversal comes just a week before the planned closure date and has brought relief to students, parents, and staff.
Administrative Mistakes Led to a Wrongful Closure
Hjembækskolen in Holbæk, a private school for students with complex mental health conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, autism, eating disorders, anxiety, and self-harming behavior, was scheduled to close at the end of November. The decision from Holbæk Municipality triggered widespread concern among families who rely on the school’s specialized support.
According to the municipality, the decision to withdraw the school’s quality agreement was based on what they described as serious administrative issues, including missing documentation related to student exam registrations. That decision effectively meant the school would no longer be permitted to operate.
After a new internal review, Holbæk Municipality concluded that significant errors occurred during the handling of the case. Officials now acknowledge that key legal procedures, such as giving the parties a chance to respond before a decision, were not properly followed.
Because of that, the municipality has chosen to reverse the closure. Local education director Lene Magnussen stated that citizens and families must be able to trust that the municipality acts in accordance with Danish law. She confirmed this standard was not met in this situation.
Community Reaction and Emotional Relief
The decision not to close the school came as a profound relief to the 22 students enrolled, many of whom come from different parts of Denmark. Their families feared that a move to new schools could seriously harm the students’ fragile stability.
One parent expressed deep gratitude when the news broke, describing tears of relief after weeks of uncertainty. Her son, who had struggled with school refusal for years before finally settling in at Hjembækskolen, celebrated when he learned that he could continue studying there.
This case has drawn attention to the growing challenges in Denmark’s public education system, where issues like funding, special needs inclusion, and administrative oversight play crucial roles in shaping the opportunities available for vulnerable students.
School Leadership Welcomes the Decision
Jesper Christensen, the director and founder of the therapeutic organization overseeing Hjembækskolen, shared his appreciation for the municipality’s acknowledgment of its errors. He explained that the school had already begun shutting down administrative processes after the initial closure order and must now shift focus to rebuilding normal operations.
Christensen emphasized that what matters most is creating a constructive, transparent relationship with municipal authorities going forward. The experience, though stressful, has strengthened his belief in due process and the importance of fair treatment within public administration.
Meanwhile, Holbæk Municipality has pledged to restart the entire case-handling process. This means a new assessment of the school’s documentation, quality standards, and supervision reports will take place, with all parties given the chance to provide statements and evidence before any new decision is made.
Lessons for Denmark’s Education and Welfare System
This incident underlines the complexity of Denmark’s approach to combining municipal oversight with independent special education needs. Municipalities have wide discretion to supervise private institutions, but they also hold responsibility for ensuring that legal rights and administrative standards are respected throughout the process.
At the same time, the Hjembækskolen case highlights how fragile the situation can become for families of children with mental health conditions. Access to consistent educational environments is essential, especially when public systems are already strained. Families often rely on private institutions like Hjembækskolen as a final safety net when mainstream schools cannot meet specialized needs.
As the municipality reopens the case, all eyes are on how it will prevent similar errors in the future. For now, students and staff can continue daily life at the school, focusing once again on their core mission: supporting young people’s education, therapy, and recovery.
Sources and References
The Danish Dream: Denmarks Public Schools Face Rising Social Inequality
The Danish Dream: Best Psychologists in Denmark for Foreigners
TV2: Kovending i sag om skolelukning: Jeg står jo og tuder, siger mor
