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Child welfare specialists must protect children's interests and uphold the law

Child welfare specialists must protect children's interests and uphold the law

In recent days, public attention has focused on the issue of protecting children when separated parents cannot agree on visitation arrangements. When a parent has turned to the courts and a decision has been made, both parents and child welfare specialists must follow the court's ruling.

According to Tallinn’s Deputy Mayor for Social Affairs, Karl Sander Kase, it is not possible to comment on the details of the recent case, but he explained the general principles of ensuring child welfare. “The protection and well-being of a child are primarily the responsibility of their legal guardians. It is important for the child to have both parents in their life, and they should never be placed in a position where they must choose between them. If separated parents cannot reach an agreement on visitation and have turned to the courts, the judge will make a decision that both parents and child welfare specialists are obligated to follow,” said Kase.

The deputy mayor emphasized that local authorities and child welfare specialists only intervene in family matters in extreme cases and based on legal grounds. The core principle of child protection work is safeguarding the child's interests, and this work is carried out by professionally trained child protection workers. Recently, Tallinn’s child protection workers have come under sharp criticism, but personal attacks against them cannot be justified.

“I regret that the situation has escalated this far, but I can assure you that this case has not been handled lightly. We are in communication with the district governor and relevant field workers, but we cannot publicly discuss the detailed circumstances of this case. I can confirm that we are discussing the situation with the court, police, and field specialists,” Kase added.

Court rulings are made based on the views of all parties, including the child and their parents, and supported by evidence provided by child welfare specialists. An important role is also played by the child’s court-appointed representative (a lawyer), who ensures that the child’s interests are minimally harmed. In practice, it often becomes clear that by the time the case reaches court, all parties, especially the children, are affected.

The Child Protection Act outlines the responsibilities of the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Social Insurance Board, and local authorities in child protection work. It also sets the requirements for child protection workers, ensuring that only professionals who meet these standards can be employed. Child protection workers must have specialized training and higher education, and within two years of starting their service, they must obtain a social worker's qualification specializing in child protection. The Social Insurance Board oversees compliance with the requirements for child protection workers and also supervises local authorities in organizing child protection work.

Often, separating parents attempt to prevent their children from interacting with the other parent, leading to alienating behaviors. These behaviors can include speaking badly about the other parent in the child's presence, blocking communication, not allowing visits, blocking phone numbers, manipulating, or falsely accusing the other parent. Alienation occurs when these behaviors are used consistently over a period of time.

Caught in the middle of these misunderstandings are the children. It is easy to forget that children need a safe environment to grow and develop. The most important thing is for parents to prioritize the child’s well-being, as this is the only way to minimize trauma. However, if the parents fail to reach an agreement and do not follow the court's decision, the child welfare specialist, acting as the case manager, must step in to ensure the court order is followed. If necessary, the police, bailiff, psychologist, or shelter representatives are involved.