Everyday life of foster families touches – providing safety and support for the child together with the wellbeing services county
There is an urgent and constant need for new foster families in Finland. Our wellbeing services county needs foster families especially for long-term placements.
In a recent podcast on Yle Areena, the topic of discussion is child welfare family care, i.e. foster family activities and their importance in the life of a child who has been placed in care. In the podcast, you will hear Renni and Wilhelmiina Sivonen, the parents of a foster family in Vihti, and Emmi-Maaria Mäkilä, our foster care coordinator, share their stories about family care – its importance and the challenges and joyful moments it involves.
The podcast emphasises how a foster family can be a crucial place of safety for a child who cannot live in their own home.
"We have space and a heart. That's enough in the beginning", say Renni and Wilhelmiina Sivonen, who have had several children in short-term foster care over the years.
Everyday life is not always easy, but the community’s support and following the children’s development bring strength.
"When you see a glimmer of hope in the child's eyes, you know you have done something right."
Society's support and the training provided by the wellbeing services county are the key factors contributing to successful family care.
"We are not alone. We have support persons and we get training and peer support", the couple say.
The diversity of foster parenting is also discussed in the podcast – the family carers have different life situations and they come from different backgrounds and from different parts of Finland. Our wellbeing services county needs all kinds of foster families.
"You don’t have to be perfect. All you need is a desire to help and the ability to offer a safe everyday life", Mäkilä says.
The message of the podcast is clear: more foster families are urgently needed. Every child deserves a home where they can grow up safe and loved.
"If you have ever wondered whether your family could offer a home to a child – now is the right time to find out", says Mäkilä encouragingly.
- Listen to the podcast (in Finnish) on Yle Areena: The need for foster families has increased(external link)
- Come and hear more about foster family and foster carer activities at information sessions: in Espoo on 9 September, on Teams on 11 September or in Vihti on 15 September
- Read more on our website: Foster parenting in the Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County
- Family centre