Norway has published a national adoption report calling for stronger supervision, a reassessment of the funding structure for adoption services, and services grounded in specialised adoption expertise. The Finnish Adoption Board hopes that a similar adoption inquiry will also be conducted in Finland. Sweden conducted its inquiry last year. The Adoption Board does not draw direct conclusions based on the results of national inquiries in other countries, but carefully reviews new international information.
Similar inquiries have also been conducted in other European countries, and the information obtained from these reports is important for adoption activities in Finland. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, which oversees adoption activities, will decide whether to conduct such an inquiry in Finland. The ministry has not yet decided to conduct an inquiry in Finland, but is monitoring the situation. The Adoption Board has informed the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health that it and the Finnish adoption service providers it represents are all pleased to assist should a national inquiry be carried out. A national inquiry can help identify development needs in the adoption system.
"I think it would be very desirable to carry out a national inquiry in Finland, given the strong support for this among adult adoptees and the plenary session of the Adoption Board. We at the Adoption Board are also concerned about the availability of services to adoptees in the future", says Irene Pärssinen-Hentula, Chair of the Adoption Board.
Finland also has a long history of domestic adoption, as well as a period during which it was a sending country in international adoptions. These topics should also be included in the report on Finland, if an inquiry is carried out.
Many European countries have found it necessary to strengthen their oversight structures and resources. The Norwegian report also highlights this. Norway also identifies areas for development that are important for successful adoptions. One key area is having adequate expertise in adoption within family services.
Sweden published its national adoption report in June 2025. Based on its recommendation, Sweden has now decided to establish a resource centre for adoptees, which will begin operations on January 1, 2027. The centre aims to respond to the support needs of adoptees and to streamline services that were previously scattered across multiple agencies.
The Adoption Board stresses adoptee rights to information and support
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