Input on social protection in Finland involves all focal points in society: employment, housing, education and training and construction. Social protection promotion in society aims to strengthen people's participation and to prevent poverty and social exclusion.
Prevention of problems
The MSAH is responsible for ensuring that people have adequate income security. Problem prevention is effectively furthered through the use of sufficient and operational basic services, child health clinics, day care, home services and corresponding social and health services. Professionals in these fields are trained to recognise problems and intervene at an early stage.
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Homelessness |
The Ministry of the Environment has primary responsibility for tackling homelessness in Finland. The MSAH provides support for benefits and services to end homelessness, sustain independent housing for people and to help them deal with housing costs. Finland's housing policy action programme for 2008-2011 includes a programme for halving long-term homelessness by 2011. The MSAH's work on the programme includes providing funding personnel costs for support services in newly created housing service units. |
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Interpersonal and domestic violence |
The MSAH is responsible for planning, guidance and legislation concerning interpersonal and domestic violence. Such violence is defined as including acts of violence that are physical, mental, sexual, directed at property and financial in nature. It also covers threats of violence and neglect. Municipalities are responsible for carrying out preventive work on interpersonal and domestic violence. |
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Victim-offender mediation in criminal cases |
Restorative justice services in criminal and civil cases and disputes are overseen and guided by the MSAH, through the National Institute for Health and Welfare. They are arranged nationwide by the State Provincial Offices. |
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Human trafficking |
Finland is both a point of destination and transit for trafficking in human beings. The MSAH is involved in preventing human trafficking and in assisting victims. The National Plan of Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (2005) is coordinated by the Ministry of the Imterior. Stipulations on assistance to the victims of human trafficking are contained in the 1999 Act on the Integration of Immigrants and the Reception of Asylum Seekers. |
