Real-life stories
All families need support sometimes. There are moments when problems and worries seem to grow very big, and it’s important to know that help is available. These real-life stories describe the kind of help and support child welfare services and organisations have provided for immigrant families.
Read real-life stories
Help from child welfare services before a baby is born
Marie is a single parent when she is expecting her second child. An ultrasound scan shows that the baby has a heart condition and Marie is worried about how she will manage to care for both the baby and her school-age child.
A mother who can’t cope alone
The mother arrived in Finland with her six children. Everyday life in a new country is difficult, and she is exhausted. Her children are increasingly absent from nursery and the staff become concerned. They talk to the mother and agree that the way forward is to ask the social services for help
Help for a child’s neuropsychiatric disorders
The family includes a mother, father and two sons. The sons have had problems lately. One of them has difficulty concentrating and easily gets into fights at school. His teacher and a school social worker invite his parents to discuss the situation and suggest that the social services are contacted.
Domestic violence
There is such a fierce argument in a family that a neighbour decides to call the police. The officers manage to calm things down. The next argument, however, is more serious: the father hits the mother and one of the two children. The mother decides to leave for a shelter with the children.
A boy in trouble
Asif is twelve. He steals and fights, and his parents are powerless. The school and the child welfare services are trying to help, but Asif’s behaviour continues getting worse. Finally, it is decided with the family that Asif will be placed away from home for a while.
Conflicts between an adolescent and parents
Teenager Amal often quarreled with her parents. The parents did not accept Amal’s behaviour. Amal did not accept the parents’ strict discipline. The quarrels got worse and Amal ran away to the youth shelter.
A child with no permanent home
Anna’s parents were alcoholics and took drugs and they did not look after her. Child protection repeatedly placed the little girl away from home. The situation got worse. Anna’s father died and her mother could not get back on her feet.
Glossary
There are many concepts associated with child welfare. The glossary explains what the most important terms mean.
