Less than two percent of reports of child-welfare issues originate from day-care facilities. Primary schools are much more likely to notify authorities of potential problems.
By law, those working with kids are obliged to file a report anytime they suspect that a child's home situation may be dangerous.
“Day-care workers have a good chance of noticing these issues,” says Seppo Sauro, director of the Central Union for Child Welfare. “After all, they see the children every day, and their parents also on a daily basis.”
Prevention is better than cure
Delays in setting off such alarm bells can lead to situations becoming worse, requiring more drastic solutions later on, say social workers such as Merja Salmi, Managing Director of the Centre of Expertise on Social Welfare in the Uusimaa area, which is funded by local municipalities and the state.
“If this support comes earlier, then we’re able to help with much lighter procedures, in a way,” she says. “But if these situations continue, they often worsen and reach a crisis stage. And then much heavier measures are often needed to correct the situation.”