Social services
In Finland, everyone has the right to receive help if they need it. If the support that is available through the services open to everyone is not sufficient, social services and child welfare services can help.
The situation is assessed with the family
Families can contact social services for families directly. The social care professional assesses the situation with the family and decides what services the family might need and receive. Contact may also be made by someone other than the family; the authorities may be notified by a child welfare notification, for example. If this happens, a social worker assesses the need for protection and the urgency of the situation.
Social services for families with children include guidance and advice, financial support, home services and a support person or support family. A child may also be offered support for learning and hobbies. More extensive support is available to clients of child welfare services. Being involved with child welfare services does not always mean placing a child outside the home; support can also be provided at home.
Note
The wellbeing services counties started operating on 1 January 2023, when the responsibility for organising social welfare and healthcare services and rescue services was transferred from municipalities to the wellbeing services counties. There are 21 wellbeing services counties in Finland, and the City of Helsinki continues to provide these services as before.
The duties of the wellbeing services counties include:
- Primary healthcare
- Specialised healthcare
- Social services
- Services for children, young people and families
- Services for working-age people
- Mental health and substance abuse services
- Services for persons with disabilities
- Student welfare
- Rescue services
- Prehospital emergency medical services
Read next
Becoming involved with social welfare services
Social services for families with children
Glossary
There are many concepts associated with child welfare. The glossary explains what the most important terms mean.