Commissioner to address alleged failings at child welfare company

Finland’s children’s rights commissioner, Elina Pekkarinen, will comment on problems uncovered by Yle at the child welfare company Abnoy Oy.

Yle’s MOT investigation found serious problems at the company’s child welfare units in the Finnish regions of Pirkanmaa, South Ostrobothnia and Kanta Häme. Former employees said staff failed to intervene in violence and drug use among young people.

They also said understaffing and working alone on night shifts had led to dangerous situations, with several employees saying they had feared for their lives.

Pekkarinen will discuss the findings in Yle’s live online broadcast at 12:05. Journalist Ulla Malminen will interview her.

MOT interviewed 14 former employees and one current employee of Abnoy. Their names were withheld to protect their future employment prospects in the sector, although their identities and work histories are known to the editorial team.

The allegations are supported not only by the employees’ accounts but also by official documents.

Abnoy Chief Executive Officer Mika Tuomola said the company had experienced problems but that they had since been corrected. He said he did not recognise most of the allegations.