Lapsekaitse

Lapsekaitse refers to the policy area and activities aimed at ensuring the safety, well-being and rights of children, protecting them from abuse, neglect, exploitation and other harmful situations. It covers prevention, early identification of risk, timely intervention, and support for families to create safe and stable environments for children.

Core components of lapsekaitse include cooperation among social services, education, health care, police and the judiciary; assessment of a child’s situation; development of protection plans; provision of family support services; and, when necessary, placement in foster care or adoption or, in extreme cases, protective custody. The child’s best interests guide decisions, and children have the right to be heard and to participate in decisions affecting them, with appropriate safeguarding of privacy.

Legal and institutional framework typically regulates duties of authorities, professionals’ reporting obligations, and the procedural rules for interventions. Local governments often administer frontline services, supported by national policy and funding. International standards, such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, influence national lapsekaitse policies and practices.

Challenges and evolving priorities in lapsekaitse include balancing family preservation with safety, ensuring timely and coordinated action across agencies, securing sufficient resources, addressing domestic violence and other risk factors, and applying evidence-based practices to support children and families effectively.