Consent and objection in child welfare decision-making is a research project funded by Academy of Finland in 1.9.2017–30.3.2021. It is conducted at the University of Tampere, Finland and led by Professor Tarja Pösö.
Finnish speciality – Voluntary care order
In Finland, the majority of care order decisions (3/4) are made by social welfare authorities in the municipalities. These decisions are called ‘voluntary care order decisions’. The translation of the Finnish terms of ‘voluntary’ and ‘involuntary’ care orders is problematic in the English language as such decisions do not exist in the English speaking countries. The Finnish legislation does, however, use these terms. ‘Voluntary care order ‘is different from ‘voluntary removals’ (in the UK for example) and involuntary care order is not the same as ‘compulsory care’ in Sweden.
According to the Finnish Child Welfare Act (2007/417), a care order decision is ‘voluntary’ if the custodian(s) and a child, 12 years or older, agree with the proposal for a care order made by a social worker. If any of them disagree with the proposal, the decision is made by the regional administrative court and is considered an involuntary care order decision. Both care order decisions have the same legal implications for parents, custodians and children. The criteria and thresholds for the decisions and the regulations for terminating care are similar for both types.