Finland’s state-run children’s homes face financial crisis as violence among youth surges

Finland’s network of state children’s homes is struggling with soaring rents, budget cuts, and a sharp rise in violent incidents among residents, but the system’s director has been unable to secure a meeting with the social affairs minister, Yle reports.

Kaisa Tammi, director of Finland’s state children’s homes, said the system is at a “major turning point,” with cost-cutting negotiations affecting all staff. Some employees now face potential layoffs or furloughs after talks began on 30 March. The five state-run homes—located in Mikkeli, Pietarsaari, Liminka, Kouvola, and Vihti—along with a prison family unit in Hämeenlinna, care for around 300 children annually.

Tammi has repeatedly requested a meeting with the Minister of Social Affairs and Health but has been told the minister “apparently does not have time.” Instead, she will present the issues to a ministerial aide in April.

Rents for the facilities have doubled in under a decade, with steep increases in the past two years alone. At the same time, security threats have forced reductions in occupancy, cutting revenue while driving up costs—including nearly €500,000 spent on private security services last year.

Violence reaches “explosive” levels

Eeva Reijonen, director of the Sairila children’s home in Mikkeli, described a dramatic surge in violence since she took up her post in August. “In the past six months, I’ve encountered weapons, improvised blades, and violent confrontations more often than in my entire 30-year career,” she said.

The worsening safety situation has forced homes to reduce the number of children per unit, further straining finances. Despite the challenges, Reijonen remains optimistic about the system’s future, suggesting a potential rebranding to “state child protection institutions” to better reflect their role in handling the most severe cases.

Sallamari Väisänen, a team leader at Sairila and shop steward for the Pro union, criticised the lack of recognition for the work. “Qualified staff are hard to find because people don’t understand the importance of what we do. There should be more respect at the decision-making level,” she said.

The crisis is compounded by delays in updating Finland’s Child Welfare Act, which Tammi said was already five years overdue. She called for clearer division of responsibilities between children’s homes and other social services.