Lastekaitses

Lastekaitses is the field and practice of child protection in Estonia, involving policies, services, and institutions dedicated to safeguarding children’s safety, rights, and well-being. It encompasses prevention of abuse and neglect, early intervention for families at risk, and care arrangements for children who cannot live with their birth families.

Legal framework and governance: Child protection is guided by national law, notably the Lastekaitseseadus (Child Protection Act), and by Estonia’s international obligations such as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Local municipalities are primarily responsible for providing social services, including welfare, protection assessments, and crisis support, with policy direction from the Ministry of Social Affairs. The system relies on interagency cooperation among social services, education, health, police, and judiciary.

Key activities: Risk assessment and child safety planning; family support services (counseling, respite care, material aid); foster care and kinship care; residential care when necessary; adoption; guardianship and permanency planning; mandatory reporting of suspected abuse.

Rights and safeguards: Interventions are guided by the best interests of the child; children have the right to participation, safety, education, and health care; procedures emphasize confidentiality, due process, and regular review; decisions are subject to judicial oversight when required.

Outcomes and challenges: The aim is to maintain family ties whenever safe and possible, with timely intervention to prevent harm. Challenges include resource limitations, regional disparities, data sharing, and coordinating across sectors.

See also: UN Convention on the Rights of the Child; Lastekaitseseadus; child welfare organizations.