Integrating unaccompanied
refugee children in Finland
SUMMARY
The project facilitates the social inclusion of unaccompanied and
separated children in Finland. It is implemented by SOS Children’s
Villages Finland in Espoo, the country’s second largest city, and
Haapajärvi, a small rural community in western Finland.
Children are accommodated in two family group homes in a
semi-independent living environment where they are provided
with basic services and support for their psychological rehabilita-
tion and social integration.
All children are enrolled in local schools, and the project facilitates
activities outside of school, such as hobbies, summer jobs and
interaction with the local community. Individual care plans are
designed with children and regularly updated to reflect changes in
children’s lives and to address their needs.
The project encourages partnership and cooperation among
national and local authorities and civil society organisations and
places an emphasis on engaging members of the local community.
In addition to providing direct services, SOS Children’s Villages
Finland advocates for equal rights and opportunities for refugee
and migrant children.
Country: Finland
Location: Espoo and Haapajärvi
Target group:
Unaccompanied and separated children with
temporary residence status
Implemented by:
SOS Children’s Villages Finland in co-operation
with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and
Employment, the City of Espoo, the Finnish
Immigration Service, Centres for Economic
Development, Transport and the Environment,
child protection services, schools, regional so-
cial and health services, police, the Finnish Red
Cross (Haapajärvi), the Espoo CSO Coalition,
4H Association (Haapajärvi) and Save The
Children (Espoo)
Funded by:
The government of Finland and
SOS Children’s Villages Finland
Timeframe: Since October 2015 (Espoo) and
January 2016 (Haapajärvi), ongoing
Contact person:
Anna-Liisa Koisti-Auer,
Programme Director,
[email protected]
KEY TOPICS
ALTERNATIVE CARE FOR UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN CASE MANAGEMENT
PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT FORMAL EDUCATION INFORMAL EDUCATION VOCATIONAL TRAINING
TRANSITION TO ADULTHOOD STAFF TRAINING CHILD PARTICIPATION
PUBLIC PARTNERSHIP LOCAL COMMUNITY PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP
ADVOCACY AND RESEARCH ACCESS TO INFORMATION
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