Child safeguarding policy
This policy describes the child safeguarding measures of the Finnish Institute of Health and Welfare (THL). It describes the measures that are taken to make sure its staff, operations, research and projects do no harm to children or expose them to the risk of harm and abuse, and that any concerns the organization has about children’s safety are reported to the appropriate authorities.
Legal basis of the policy
This Child Safeguarding Policy is based on the national legislation, policy and guidance as well as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The UN CRC provides a comprehensive framework for protection and participation of children. In all actions concerning children, the pivotal principle is always to consider the best interests of the child. All children have the right to participation, non-discrimination and the right to develop to their full potential. Children must be protected from all kinds of violence and abuse.
Child is defined as anyone under the age of 18 years.
Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare – Research and development organisation
THL is a research and development organization and as such does not directly treat or counsel children or investigate child abuse. However, children do come into contact with the organization through different projects or research organized, managed or funded by the THL. Children can take part in different types of research, they might participate to events or occasions organized by the institute, for example as experts of experience, or they might participate in producing or piloting materials for different projects.
Key principles
THL does not tolerate any form of misconduct, malpractice or harm generated to children by poor research protocol design or poor management of its projects. Children are to be protected and safeguarded to the maximum possible extent from actions that place them at risk of violence, abuse, exploitation, discrimination, injury and any other harm, such as breach of privacy. Any illegal, unsafe or abusive conduct towards children is prohibited. This includes all types of physically, sexually or emotionally (i.e. shaming, humiliating, belittling, discriminating or excluding) abusive behavior.
All research projects adhere to ethical guidelines and must seek ethics committee approval. All collected data is protected appropriately. Appropriate safety and consent measures are applied whenever taking photos, audio or audio-visual record or otherwise depicting children. In context of interviewing and reporting, both confidentiality as well as children’s right to have their views taken into account and to be heard must be considered. National legislation is applied when it comes to criminal record background checking for any position.
The responsibility to protect children applies to staff, partners, experts or other individuals acting on behalf of the children, adolescents and families unit. Any person involved in activities related to the unit must behave appropriately towards children and must not abuse the power that comes with being an authority, researcher or a person in a position of trust. Policy applies to all staff - full time, part time or engaged on short-term contracts. All new employees undergo a security clearance, including a criminal history check.
Guidelines for action and reporting mechanisms
In case any concerns of inappropriate or abusive behavior towards children arise in context of the operations of the organization, THL informs relevant agencies and authorities. In the event of behavior incompatible with the Child Safeguarding Policies by personnel, THL will take administrative and/or legal measures against the staff member. In cases of suspected violence, social services and the police of the municipality where the child lives are contacted without exceptions.
THL commits to regularly informing all staff members about the child safeguarding policy, including reporting mechanisms and appropriate behavior. Organization has appointed a Child Protection Officer in 2022.
Updated November 2023. Next update due: November 2026.
Contact person
Päivi Lindberg
Chief Specialist
E-mail: [email protected]
