Parental leave

In order that they have more time with their infants, parents can make use of maternity, paternity and parental leave. These forms of leave involve corresponding allowances. Parents can also take care leave and part-time care leave from work to look after their small children.

Day care

Day care in Finland comprises care, education and teaching to support children's balanced growth, development and learning. Municipal servicesenable children to receive day care, family day care or group family day care either on a full-time or part-time basis. Private day care services, parishes and organizations provide alternative forms of care.

Preschool education

Before beginning primary school, young children in Finland can take part in preschool education, which supports learning by means of play. First and second grade primary school pupils can take part in guided morning and afternoon activities. Special teaching for children with learning difficulties is organised for all school grades.

Child guidance and family counselling

Specialist assistance through child guidance and family counselling is on hand from social services for dealing with children's problems and relationship problems. Counselling can be sought if

• there is concern about a child's development, behaviour or emotional life,
• a child has problems at day care, in school or with friends,
• parents need help in parenting or in settling disputes among themselves,
• there has been a bereavement in the family or a difficult situation,
• parents are considering divorce or family members need support in getting over a divorce.

Child welfare

Child welfare is divided into preventive child welfare services and child and family specific services.

A key role in prevention is played by municipal maternity and child health clinics, child guidance and family counselling clinics, day care, schools, youth work, and family centres that assemble family services.

Child protection directed at children and families becomes applicable in municipal social work when

• a child welfare report has been made about a child
• there is an application for child welfare service
  
• a child welfare worker has otherwise received information that a child is in need of protection

Urgent needs assessments are made immediately. In other cases, social workers have seven days to evaluate whether needs assessment is necessary.

In addition, children may be taken into care and placed in foster care with a foster family or foster home.

Municipalities have to compile plans for the promotion of child welfare and the organization and development of child welfare and protection.

Adoption

Adoption has to involve adoption counselling, provided by municipal social service departments and Save the Children. An adoption allowance is available for the costs involved in international adoptions. International adoption services are provided by Save the Children, Interpedia, and the Social Service Department of the City of Helsinki.

Health services for families with children

These are provided by maternity and child health clinics, oral health care services, school health care, and medical care at a health centre or a central hospital.

Guardianship, maintenance, paternity

If a child's parents do not live together arrangements have to be made for who cares for the child, for maintenance and rights of access. When a child is born outside marriage, paternity has to be established.

Family centres

Family centres in Finland bring together regional family services, such as maternity and child health clinics, early childhood education and care services, school and local family and early support services. Due to their wide-ranging service network, family services can identify problems affecting children and families at an early stage and give the necessary help.

Development of services for children and young people

Efforts are made for prevention and providing support measures as early as possible concerning problems affecting children and young people. The MSAH is coordinating a development programme for early intervention and support to children in their early years.