Being a child welfare client

A child or family becomes a child welfare client if the service needs assessment for families with children finds that the child or family needs child welfare services. We offer a wide range of services and support to child welfare clients. You can explore our services on this website. 

Our services for child welfare clients

Family work
Child welfare family work supports the child’s growth and development and strengthens the interaction between the child and the parent. Learn more about family work here.
Child welfare social work
Child welfare social work supports the child and the family and strengthens the family’s resources. Learn more about social work here.
Family rehabilitation
Family rehabilitation provides support for parenting and everyday life management at the family home or at a family rehabilitation centre. Learn more about family rehabilitation here.
Family group conference
A family group conference supports the participation of family members and other loved ones in the life of the child or young person. Read more about the family group conference.
Group activities
Group activities include therapeutic, activity-based and rehabilitative groups for children, young people, parents and families. Read more about group activities here.
Support person activities
The support person is a safe adult friend to the child or young person. Read more about support person activities here.
Support family activities
The support family welcomes the child or young person into their home to spend time together. Learn more about support family activities here.
Short-term placement
A child or young person may be placed outside the home under short-term placement with a short-term foster family, in reception facilities or with a person who is close to the child or young person. Learn more about the options here.

Do you want to help other families?

Do you have the opportunity to become a support family or a support person for a child or young person? Or are you interested in reception family or foster family activities?

Read more about reception and foster family activities

You might also be interested in

Professional family home
A child placed in a professional family home receives individual care and comfort as well as an opportunity to join the family. Read more about family homes here.
Family placement
When a child needs longer-term placement outside the home, the primary option is family placement. The placed child lives in a private home with an ordinary family. Read more about family placement here.
Children’s home activities
A child can live in a children’s home for a short or longer period of time. The duration depends on each child’s needs and the family’s situation. Read more about children’s homes here.
What is child welfare?
On this page, we explain what child welfare means, what services it includes, how you can access child welfare services, and how you can submit a child welfare notification.
Child welfare notification
A child welfare notification informs a child welfare social worker of a child who may need help. Here you can find out how to make the notification and what happens afterwards.

Information elsewhere

Child welfare (Omaperhe)
The purpose of the Child Welfare Act is to ensure a child’s right to a safe environment, balanced and diverse development and special protection. The Omaperhe website contains more information about child welfare.
Read more about child welfare notifications (THL) in Finnish
The child welfare handbook produced by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare provides comprehensive information about child welfare.
Child welfare guide for children and young people (THL) in Finnish
The child welfare guide produced by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare provides comprehensive information about child welfare.