Child Protection

A child is entitled to a secure and stimulating growing environment and to a harmonious and well-balanced development. A child has a special right to protection. The purpose of child protection is to ensure a child these rights by providing a good general growing environment, by assisting the custodians in child upbringing and by providing family-oriented and individual child welfare. 

The social workers of the child protection unit may discuss issues causing problems / stress to the family and find ways to help the family cope. When needed, the child protection unit provides aid with negotiations, financial support, support for recreational activities, home help service, family work, day care, a support person, a support family or temporary placement, or in extreme cases, permanent replacement.

The child protection unit deals with:
• reception of reports concerning a child’s safety and well-being
• assessment and response to concerns for the well-being of a child
• open care services
• immediate care orders
• taking a child into care
• social work for children in foster care
• after-care

Foster Care

The City of Seinäjoki and 13 surrounding municipalities have arranged the services of foster care, operating under the child protection unit, on the basis of a mutual agreement, in such a way that the City of Seinäjoki is in charge of providing the services and the other municipalities in the region use them as agreed. The unit for foster care cooperates with the child protection social workers and, if necessary, look for a short or long-term family care placement / foster family.

Reports Concerning a Child’s Safety and Well-being

If you, as a neighbour or a friend, are worried about a child’s safety, sufficient care or asocial behaviour, you can report your worries to the social workers of the family work unit. If you, as an authority, are worried about such a case, you are obliged to report. The social workers will receive your report and contact the family. The name of the reporting person is not revealed to the family unless the reporting person gives his or her permission to do that.