Finland is considering amendments to its child protection law that would empower employees of child protection institutions to detain children who have fled. Currently, when a child leaves a facility without permission, the responsibility for finding them rests with the institution, but the methods available to bring the child back are limited. Employees currently do not have the right to physically detain a child if they attempt to run away after being found.

With the proposed law changes, workers at child protection institutions would gain the right to physically restrain children and use force if necessary to ensure their safety. This includes the authority to enter the premises of third parties if there is reason to believe the child is hidden there. These changes are seen as vital in safeguarding vulnerable children, especially those who are more prone to being victims of violence, as there have been instances of fleeing children facing severe dangers, including death.

For instance, in late January, a child who had escaped from a child protection facility in Pirkanmaa was found dead. Such tragic incidents highlight the dire situation faced by children in these institutions and the urgent need for policy reforms that protect their safety and well-being, while balancing the rights of the children involved.