Εκμετάλλευση - Εμπορία Ανθρώπων - Human Exploitation/Trafficking Let-Children-be-Children_Case-studies-refugee-prog | Page 22

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 22