Deputy-ombudsman concerned about the adequacy of supervision of family care

Under section 4 of the Parliamentary Ombudsman Act, Deputy-Ombudsman Mikko Sarja has decided to investigate on his own initiative how the supervision of family care in child welfare is organised in wellbeing services counties.

The Parliamentary Ombudsman has for a long time paid attention to shortcomings in the supervision of family care in child welfare services and over the past few years, complaints concerning family care have also become somewhat more common. The powers of family carers are currently being increased significantly, and Parliament’s Social Affairs and Health Committee has also considered it necessary to conduct a reassessment of the supervision of child welfare in family care in this context. So far, this has not been done, however.

From the perspective of the legal protection of a child placed in out-of-home care, the Deputy-Ombudsman considers it untenable that the supervision of a child placed in family care is largely left to an individual social worker.

The Deputy-Ombudsman is investigating the organisation, implementation and monitoring of the supervision of family care in wellbeing services counties. He has sent a request for clarification to all wellbeing services counties, the City of Helsinki and the KST (Kommunal socialtjänst), which is responsible for child welfare in Åland, and expects to receive responses by 30 September 2026.

Further information is available from Principal Legal Adviser Virve Toivonen, tel. +358 9 432 3357.