Lastekaitseseadus

Lastekaitseseadus is Estonia’s primary legislation governing child protection and welfare. It defines the rights of every child, understood as a person under the age of 18, and establishes the principles by which the state, local governments, families, and professionals must act to safeguard children’s safety, development and well‑being. The act emphasizes prevention, early intervention and the provision of support to families to reduce risks to children.

The responsibility for implementing child protection lies mainly with local authorities, with the state providing supervision and funding. Social services, education, health, police and other agencies cooperate under the act to identify risks, assess needs, and plan and monitor protective measures. Professionals who work with children, such as teachers, doctors and social workers, have a statutory obligation to report suspected abuse or neglect to the appropriate authorities.

Procedures under the act include assessment of the child’s needs, development of individualized protection plans, and provision of family support services to address risk factors. If necessary, protective measures may involve temporary or permanent removal from the home and placement in foster care or other suitable arrangements, with regular reviews. The act also covers guardianship, adoption and other forms of substitute care, and the rights of the child within these processes.

Rights and participation are central to the law: the child has the right to be heard in decisions affecting them, to access information, and to privacy; they are entitled to essential services such as healthcare and education, as well as protection from exploitation and harm. The act provides a framework for inter‑agency cooperation while respecting data protection and child welfare considerations.