Two workers dismissed and six warned over suspected abuse in Kajaani unit

Two employees have been dismissed and six others warned after suspected crimes against people with intellectual disabilities at a residential unit in Kajaani, Yle reports. The Licensing and Supervision Agency considers the situation serious.

The Kainuu wellbeing services county dismissed two workers who both worked at the Rajamiehentie residential unit for people with intellectual disabilities. Six other employees received warnings, including two who hold official positions.

Yle reported earlier this year that four employees at the unit were suspected of crimes against three residents with intellectual disabilities. The case became public in the spring, when the wellbeing services county said staff were suspected of treating residents inappropriately. The matter proceeded to a police pre-trial investigation and later to consideration of charges.

The Kainuu wellbeing services county has not disclosed what is specifically alleged to have happened at the unit. The details are also not included in the Licensing and Supervision Agency’s decision.

Jaana Tihinen, a senior social welfare inspector, said the wellbeing services county had provided the police with detailed information about the events. The agency focused on examining how the unit’s self-monitoring had been carried out.

“It is not within our authority to investigate criminal matters,” Tihinen said.

However, based on the reports it received, the agency said it was clear that the residents’ right to good care and treatment had been seriously endangered by inappropriate conduct by staff.

Wellbeing services county acted too little and too late

The agency’s supervisory decision says the Kainuu wellbeing services county has taken self-monitoring measures in response to the events.

The county plans to review the use of staff resources at the Rajamiehentie unit and assess the total number of employees. It also plans to ensure, through management measures, that clients receive good care and that staff have sufficient expertise to support housing for people with intellectual disabilities who display challenging behaviour.

The former Regional State Administrative Agency, now the Licensing and Supervision Agency, had already provided extensive guidance to the Rajamiehentie unit, including in 2025. According to the agency, the guidance did not lead to the necessary changes, and the wellbeing services county’s self-monitoring remained inadequate.

The agency also criticised the county for failing to comply with the law on supervision, which requires shortcomings and hazardous situations to be reported immediately to the supervisory authority. According to the agency, the county reported the suspected inappropriate conduct by staff only after the Licensing and Supervision Agency requested the report.

The agency has urged the Kainuu wellbeing services county to correct the shortcomings and breaches of law identified at the Rajamiehentie unit through self-monitoring measures.