Child welfare
We support children, young people and their families so that children’s right to a safe growing environment is realised.
If you require support
If your family require support for their daily lives, contact the social services for families with children.
If a child is in danger
Does a child need special protection?
Anyone concerned about the situation of a child or young person can submit a child welfare notification, even anonymously. The notifications should primarily be submitted in writing.
If the situation is urgent and the child or young person is in danger, you must also call the on-call number for the child’s residential area, the Social and Crisis Emergency Services or the emergency centre.
Contact us
Mon–Fri 9–12
Electronic child welfare notification
Electronic child welfare notification(external link)
In urgent situations at other times, you can also contact Social and Crisis Emergency Services: tel. 029 151 2221.
For authorities
In child welfare matters, you have a duty to make a child welfare notification if, in the course of your duties, you have learned about a child whose need for child welfare services should be assessed. The reason may relate, for example, to the child’s need for care and attention, the child’s own behaviour, or circumstances that endanger the child’s development.
Examples of such situations include:
- repeated or serious incidents of violence between parents
- serious offences committed by children
- a serious substance abuse problem affecting a parent living with the child
- an untreated and serious mental health problem affecting a parent living with the child.
Phone number for official use (Mon-Fri) 8-15: 029 151 3530
Child welfare to support everyday life
We support children and young people when their growth and development are at risk and the child needs protection. In child welfare:
- we meet and work with the child and their family and network
- we assess the support needed by the child and family and arrange the necessary services
- we use change work to strengthen the resources of the child and parent and their abilities to be independent in their life
- we prepare a client plan for the child and monitor its implementation
- we ensure that the child’s opinion is heard and their interests are realised
- we prepare or make decisions concerning the child on matters such as services and placement in substitute care