Information about adoptions
Approximately 10–20 children in need of an adoptive home are placed annually through Save the Children Finland and approximately 10–20 through intercountry adoption services. In domestic adoptions, we always work with the child, the biological parents and the family hoping to adopt the child. In intercountry adoptions, the child and the biological parents are prepared for adoption and/or they also receive counselling in their home country.
Adoption is a legal measure
Adoption refers to the transfer of the parental rights and obligations to the child’s adoptive parents, granting the child the same legal status in their adoptive family as the family’s biological child. Adoption creates an irrevocable bond between the child and the parent.
Adoption work is regulated by the Adoption Act (AdL 22/2012) and the Decree on it, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the revised European Convention on the Adoption of Children. In addition, intercountry adoption is regulated by the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (or Hague Adoption Convention). Intercountry adoptions must also take into account the legislation of the child’s country of birth.
Adoption counselling
All parties to an adoption are entitled to adoption counselling free of charge. Adoption counselling is available for domestic and intercountry adoptions at all of our regional offices around Finland.