The Children’s Shelter Service is provided 24/7 at two houses operated by the Tallinn Centre for Children’s at Risk (hereinafter TLTK): the Lilleküla Shelter and the Männi Shelter.

The aim of the shelter service is to ensure immediate assistance and a safe environment for children who need care, protection, counselling, and support after experiencing physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, neglect, or abandonment.

At TLTK, the service is available to children aged 7–17, but younger children may also be admitted if they arrive together with older siblings.

Children in need are referred to the shelter service by a child welfare specialist. Depending on the situation, referrals may also be made by the police, ambulance, fire department, teachers, or others. There have also been cases where children have come to the shelter on their own.

Upon arrival at the shelter, the child’s immediate needs are assessed, temporary accommodation and safety are provided, along with age-appropriate care and medical assistance. In cooperation with the social welfare department of the child’s local district government, the child’s rights and interests are protected.

The child welfare specialist from the child’s home district is notified of the child’s arrival at the shelter as soon as possible, but no later than by the end of the next working day. The child’s case is managed by their local child welfare specialist, who provides the service provider with the necessary instructions for the child’s further care and arrangements.

For children referred from outside Tallinn, the cost of the shelter service is €94 per day starting from the second day of stay. For residents of Tallinn, the service is free of charge.