How the costs of protecting children accumulate
Eurochild Finnish member Central Union for Child Welfare, releases its second report on child welfare costs which explores the connections between finances and the human experience by gathering real experiences of children and families.
Much has happened in child welfare since the publication of the previous report more than a decade ago. Costs have increased, the number of emergency placements has kept growing, and the number of child welfare notifications has gone up especially sharply. The number of children in care has remained roughly at the same level since 2012.
If what is humane is also more cost-effective, why should we not embark on changing the system in a more humane direction? Some of the cases present alternative realities in which more help would have been provided sooner.
Simply increasing funding does not guarantee better outcomes for children. Greater efficiency in public services, especially through timely and effective support, offers a path toward improved impact without waste.
With declining birth rates, each child should receive more focused attention, reinforcing the urgency of preventing marginalisation and safeguarding children’s rights without compromise. Although early intervention and proactive measures require investment and offer no miracle returns, they remain worthwhile. The report ultimately urges decision-makers to move from vague acknowledgement of problems to concrete, evidence-based action, while avoiding unrealistic expectations of quick financial gains.
