Other social care services for families with children

In the counselling service for children, young people and families with children, you can discuss your concerns with a professional. You can get advice and guidance on how to resolve your situation or how to access the services you need.

Family counselling centres offer services to families with children aged under 13. You can contact the family counselling centre without a referral. The family counselling services are confidential, optional and free of charge.

The unit provides services related to the determination of parenthood, child custody, living arrangements, right of access and child maintenance.

Family work under the Social Welfare Act is an open care support measure and does not require a client relationship with child welfare. Family work is provided to client families of the wellbeing services county with children aged 0-17 in need of special support.

It involves supporting parenting, guiding the care and upbringing of children, managing everyday life and routines at home, strengthening the family's ability to function in new situations, supporting the family's interaction skills, expanding the family's social networks and preventing exclusion. Family work is granted based on a service needs assessment under the Social Welfare Act.

The aim is to support your family's life management skills, mobilise your resources and strengthen your ability to cope in everyday situations. Family work is planned and goal-oriented support for families where the goals are set together with the family, the social worker in charge and social instructors.

The work centres around conversational therapy that aims for change, yet we utilise a variety of functional methods. Networking is also a key aspect of the work. Family work is free of charge and usually provided at the client's home. The frequency of meetings depends on the objectives. The work is intended for the whole family, and it can be arranged for two homes (for example with separated families).

Family work is provided by the wellbeing services county itself and as an outsourced service. Family work is subject to a service decision under the Social Welfare Act.

Sometimes the resources of the family are not enough to ensure the growth and development of a child or young person. In such case, the upbringing of a child can be organised outside the home. The child or young person can be placed either with a family or in a child welfare institution.

Family care means organising the care and upbringing of a child in a foster home. Family carers of children and young people are also called foster parents.

Family counselling centres offer services to families with children aged under 13. You can contact the family counselling centre without a referral. The family counselling services are confidential, optional and free of charge.