Child welfare institutional care
Institutional child welfare care provides support, nurturing, and safety for children and young people who cannot remain at home and for whom family-based foster care is not a suitable option.
In institutional care, a child receives 24‑hour support and nurturing within a secure environment designed to promote a good quality of life, while addressing their individual needs and circumstances.
The institutional care process begins when a child transitions from open care into a formal placement, following either a custody decision or a ruling by the administrative court.
Forms of institutional care
Institutional care is provided in various types of children's homes, youth facilities, and reform schools. Some institutions strive to replicate a family-like environment, while others offer specialized support for children with specific needs, including disabilities, substance abuse issues, academic challenges, or mental health conditions.
Child welfare institutions are operated by the state, wellbeing services counties, private organizations, and third-sector organizations. Throughout their stay, each child is assigned a social worker from the wellbeing services county. The social worker ensures the child's rights and best interests are respected, facilitates their inclusion, coordinates necessary services, and provides ongoing support to the child and their family.
The social worker regularly meets with the child and collaborates with the child’s network to create and monitor an individualized client plan. The child’s situation and progress toward the objectives outlined in the plan are monitored consistently. Placement is always valid until further notice;
The ultimate goal is family reunification and allowing the child to return home whenever possible. This option is regularly assessed during the placement period in cooperation with the child and their parents. Child welfare placements end, at the latest, when the child turns 18.
Social work in child welfare institutional care
On-call phone service mon-fre 9:00-15:00
046 877 3604
(no text messages)
Senior social workers Pauliina Valtonen and Veronica Hjelt
(emails follow the format firstname.lastname@luvn.fi)
Child Welfare Services – Institutional Care Units
The Child Welfare Services of the Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County operate six institutional care units across three locations in Espoo. Each unit is led by a child welfare service manager, who also serves as the director of the children’s home. The overall operations of these units are overseen by our child welfare service supervisor.
In Viherlaakso, at the Karhukallio Children’s Home, we have three primary-level units: Kontio, Nalle, and Otso. Kontio is a 7-bed unit designed for 16- to 17‑year‑olds preparing for independent living. Nalle and Otso are each 7-bed units for children aged 10 to 17.
In Nupuri, at the Kuusimäki Children’s Home, we have two units called Kaarna and Käpy. Kaarna is a specialized unit with capacity for six individuals for children under 12 who benefit from its rehabilitative focus. A specialized 6-bed unit for children under 12 at the time of placement.
In Olari, the Lystimäki youth home offers a 7-bed basic unit that can also accommodate children requiring placements from open care.
We warmly welcome university students from applied sciences (“AMK”) for internships. If you're interested in internships or short-term positions, please reach out to us.
Contact details
Child Welfare Service Supervisor Jonna Takala, tel. 040 634 3181
Email addresses follow the format firstname.lastname@luvn.fi