The first phase of social work lasts a maximum of 30 days, after which longer-term solutions are made for the situation of a child in a difficult situation.
- The 12-year-old child who shot at the school cannot be sentenced to prison, so his case continues to be processed by the social authorities.
- The possibilities for the child’s future are still completely open at this stage.
- Longer-lasting solutions are considered after the acute phase.
The 12-year-old boy who shot at the Viertola school’s Jokiranta teaching center on Tuesday will be processed by the social authorities, because he is not criminally responsible due to his age.
A 12-year-old boy died in the shooting and two 12-year-old girls were seriously wounded.
The first stage of the official process is to secure the child, and longer-term decisions are made only later. The overall assessment is made by the child protection social work.
– In practice, acute protection can mean placing a child outside the home with child protection methods, such as in a foster care unit that meets the child’s needs, says the development manager of the Save the Children organization Maia Viherwirth.
One possibility for this acute phase placement is a demanding special level unit.
– They are profiled in slightly different ways, such as substance abuse treatment, behavior problems or violence. In child protection, the task of the social worker responsible for the child’s affairs is to assess which unit best meets the child’s needs.
According to Vihervirta, the duration of the investment is always case-specific.
– Urgent investment, which is used in acute situations, can last for a maximum of 30 days. According to the law, it can be extended by an urgent placement extension decision for 30 days, during which the preparations for taking custody must begin.
Taking custody means that the authorities take over the responsibility of the child’s upbringing from the guardians. Another option is usually open care, where the child can continue to live with their guardian.
Towards a stable everyday life
Social work authorities strive to secure the future of a child in a difficult situation. Inka Soveri
According to the Child Protection Act, foster care should only be taken if the support measures of outpatient care are not suitable or possible or they have proven to be insufficient and foster care is in the child’s best interest.
– The need for longer-term support is considered after the acute phase, when we try to reach an understanding with the child and the family about the overall situation. In the longer term, the goal is to make a stable everyday life possible for the child, Vihervirta says.
At least at this stage, it is in principle possible that this child could continue to live in his own home.
– All options are open for a child in a challenging situation. It is also possible that he will receive outpatient support measures at home. The overall situation ultimately decides what the forms of support are.
In practice, the aim is to help the child with strong social work support, and if necessary, healthcare is also involved. The decision on the form of support is made by the child protection social work of the welfare area of the child’s place of residence.
– Support also affects the child’s family and other loved ones. The acute method of social work is to protect the child and his loved ones and to ensure adequate support. Both the suspected child and his family are in crisis and need support, says Vihervirta.
Schooling continues
People brought candles to the school yard in Viertola, Vantaa. Pete Anikari
According to Vihervirta, social work does not have one specific way of working, but the treatment is always case-specific.
– As a basic starting point, it is good to remember that child protection support and measures are needed if a child harms himself or others.
– A child in a very challenging situation definitely needs long-term support, and the need for support may possibly continue throughout life. I can’t take a stand on that, because what kind of support each child needs, it’s always about the child’s overall situation.
One open question is the continuation of the shooter’s schooling. In addition to the sixth grade, he still has three years of elementary school left, and the compulsory schooling doesn’t end until he turns 18.
– In general, I can say that even children in challenging situations are protected and enabled to go to school. Among other things, child protection units organize the opportunity to go to school in different ways, Vihervirta commented.
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