Asutushoolduseks

Asutushoolduseks is a term used in Estonian social welfare and child protection to describe care and upbringing provided to a child or dependent person within an institution rather than in a family setting. It typically becomes an option when a child cannot live with their own family due to safety concerns, neglect, or other risks, and when family-based care is not feasible in the short or long term.

The arrangement involves placement in residential care facilities such as children’s homes or youth centers, operated by state or municipal authorities or by approved private providers. It is governed by applicable child protection and social welfare laws, with decisions made by local government child protection authorities in coordination with state-level social welfare agencies.

Key elements include a formal assessment of the child’s needs, the establishment of an individualized care and education plan, and ongoing monitoring and periodic reviews of the placement. The overarching aim is to ensure the child’s safety, development, and well-being while exploring possibilities for family reunification when appropriate, or transition to kinship care, adoption, or other family-based arrangements when feasible.

Rights and protections emphasize the child’s participation in decisions about their care, access to education and health services, and information about the arrangements. The process provides mechanisms to appeal decisions and ensures oversight by relevant authorities and child protection bodies.

Outcomes vary depending on circumstances; a placement may end with a return to the family, transition to permanent family-based care, or continuation of institutional care with supported services. Asutushoolduseks is one of several instruments within the broader system of child welfare and guardianship in Estonia.