Monitoring adoption operations in Finland

As the expert authority, the Adoption Board monitors the development of adoption operations in Finland from many different perspectives. Monitoring takes into account the experiences and needs of the adoptees, their biological parents and their adoptive families in adoption services.

Following the development of adoptions is the task of the plenary which meets 4-5 times a year. The plenary comprises all members of all sections (the Section for Adoption Permit Matters and the Section for International Matters). In addition, the plenary is appointed representatives of authorities that handle adoption related issues in their work, representatives of adoptees, adoptive parents and different organisations representing groups of people wishing to adopt. The comprehensive composition facilitates gathering of a wide range of information to compile a situational picture of Finland’s adoption operations and provides information of how adoptees and their families are encountered and supported in the services provided in Finland. 

During the Board’s current term (2022–2027), the plenary session is focusing particularly on monitoring the development of post-adoption support and seeking to promote the leveraging of the expertise of adult adoptees for improving adoption services in Finland. In addition, the Adoption Board issues opinions on current issues for the development of operations. 

As a member of the network of Central Authorities under the Hague Adoption Convention, the Adoption Board also follows international trends in adoption. The Adoption Board promotes the application of the recommendations issued to signatories of the Hague Convention and the related public discussion in Finland.

The Adoption Board provides expert information and guidance

The Adoption Board follows adoption operations, gathers information and participates in public discussion related to adoption. The Adoption Board provides information on adoption to the public and the authorities. The Board’s basic duties include providing information on Finland’s adoption system, the principles of adoption operations and legislation. The Board gives guidance for the adoption processes of adoptees aged under 18 and refers inquirers to the appropriate authorities as needed. The Board receives some 500 questions about adoption every year. Once a year, the Adoption Board organises a training day for adoption authorities who encounter adoptees and their families in their work.