Salmila Children’s Home in Kajaani Faces Staffing Deficiencies Amid Regulatory Oversight

The Salmila Children’s Home in Kajaani is facing serious deficiencies in its staffing structure. According to the Northern Finland Regional State Administrative Agency, the facility lacks a sufficient number of qualified staff with higher education. At least half of the employees in a child protection institution are required to hold a university degree, a standard that has not been met at Salmila since November 2023. Efforts to rectify the situation through self-monitoring have proven ineffective. Moreover, the institution has been relying on students to fill the roles of permanent, trained staff; however, students are not permitted to conduct restrictive interventions, administer medication, or work independently under child protection law.

In mid-April, the Regional State Administrative Agency conducted a guidance and oversight meeting with the Kainuu Wellbeing District, advising immediate action to address the issues at Salmila. Despite these recommendations and the wellbeing district’s self-regulatory measures, the staffing situation had not improved by early July. On July 18, the Kainuu Wellbeing District received a formal notice from the Northern Finland Regional State Administrative Agency regarding the illegal staffing structure at the children’s home. The Regional State Administrative Agency will continue its oversight of Salmila Children’s Home.