The project partners
The Guardianship in Child Protection (2005–2009) is a joint project run by Save the Children, the Federation of Mother and Child Homes and Shelters, the Friends of the Young Association, SOS Children’s Village, the Helsinki Deaconess Institute and Folkhälsan Raseborg, and it is funded by the Finnish Slot Machine Association, RAY. The project is co-ordinated by Save the Children.
The goals
The goal of the Guardianship in Child Protection project is to strengthen children’s participation and their position in society. The project helps define the situations in which guardianship is required. The project also aims to clarify practices regarding the application for a Children’s Guardian and the regulations concerning the fees and payments to guardians. We will also develop continuing education for guardians and are compiling a guide on guardianship in child protection cases.
Background studies
At the initial stage of the project, we carried out surveys charting the current situation regarding guardianship in child protection cases, targeted at municipal social services, Register Offices, District Courts and those having acted as Children’s Guardians.
Regional pilot
In spring 2006, we launched regional pilot co-operation with six bodies: the Länsi-Pohja subregion, the development units of North save and Hämeenlinna child protection services, the City of Tampere, the regions of Kymenlaakso and South Karelia and the City of Helsinki Family Law Affairs unit. A pilot group was formed to develop guardianship training and to train in guardianship in child protection cases. The project have also studied and compared European guardianship practices.
