Children’s Ombudsman

The City of Tampere has employed a Children’s Ombudsman whose task is to coordinate the city’s activities concerning children, i.e. the network of different bodies, in order to promote the situation of children and young people. The work of the Children’s Ombudsman is steered and supported by a steering group that has representatives from all sectors of the city sectors. Additionally, there are representatives nominated by the Children’s Parliament and Tampere Youth Forum.

Tasks of the Children’s Ombudsman

The Children’s Ombudsman sees to that the city takes children and young people into account as well. The children have a right to well-being and participation in their own municipality.

In practice, the Children’s Ombudsman acts in the following ways:

- provides information, monitors the development of the well-being of children and young people and reports on it
- creates opportunities for children and young people to express their opinions and needs
- coordinates child and youth work within the terms of the City of Tampere’s child policy programme, for instance
- promotes cooperation between the city and different organisations

The Children’s Ombudsman does not deal with judicial matters relating to children and young people, nor does the Ombudsman replace the established channels for appeals, receiving information and being able to have a say in society. The Children’s Ombudsman is not a legal expert or a social worker, but rather a bridge-builder.

A vision for the year 2012

“Tampere is a city for children and young people, where childhood and adolescence are recognised and appreciated as significant phases in a person’s life. In all its functions, the city works for the rights of children and young people, so that they have access to diverse and high-quality services suitable to their age. Children and young people have the right to participate and to have a say as well. Equally, they have the right to well-being and protection in every form.”

Contact information