The knowledge base is important because it forms the foundation for all decision-making, activities, and development. The information is not just statistics – it helps us ensure that children and families receive help in a timely manner and in the right form.
The data collected by THL helps to identify regional differences and develop services to meet the needs of children. The results of surveys, such as the school health survey, can reveal, for example, loneliness, bullying, or mental health challenges that may predict the need for child welfare services. The Kanta services also provide information on the use of various services.
"With the help of statistical data, we can monitor, for example, the number of children placed outside their homes, the number of urgent placements, and child welfare processing times and staffing levels. Statistics also help us identify regional differences," says Heini Leivo, senior planning officer at THL.
Why it is important to identify gaps in the knowledge base
The child welfare knowledge base helps to prepare and justify decision-making on child welfare and the development of services for children. The knowledge base also helps to monitor the effectiveness of measures and the development of services in the right direction.
THL also works to ensure that the knowledge base is as comprehensive as possible. Research gaps are identified through knowledge base surveys.
At present, we have only limited research evidence on open care services in child welfare in Finland.
"We do know, in the field of social welfare, what services different organizations offer. However, services have been developed and described in many ways over the decades, and there is limited research data on their effectiveness and customer experiences," says Heini Leivo.
Filling gaps in research helps us understand the current state of child welfare. This is necessary in order to support the training and expertise of professionals and to promote service system reform.
It is important that the knowledge base and research structures of child welfare are developed both nationally and regionally.
"When decisions are based on research evidence, we can build child welfare that supports children and families before a crisis, and this is an investment in the future, says Leivo.
