Child welfare
The primary duty of the child welfare services is to ensure that children and young people living under conditions that may harm their health and development will receive the necessary assistance when they need it, and to contribute to giving children and young people safe conditions for growing up.
Both the local and central authorities have duties and responsibilities in the child welfare field. All municipalities must have child welfare services that are responsible for the day-to-day work pursuant to the Act. The child welfare services are responsible for giving advice and guidance, undertaking investigations, making decisions pursuant to the Act or preparing cases for the county social welfare board, and for implementing and following up measures.
