City services for young people and their families

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The City of Helsinki offers a wide range of social services. You may also be eligible for the City's disability services.

Our services for you and your family

The City of Helsinki provides a wide range of social services for young people and their parents. Ask our social counselling service for families with children for more information about social services.

Contact information of social counselling for families with children

As you move from childhood to adolescence, you may need disability services as well as support and assistance to establish your independence and autonomy. You and your family can apply for personal assistance and support, transportation services, short-term care, informal care support, or a place in family care, among other things.

We serve Helsinki residents with disabilities under the age of 18 at the Kallio Office Building and the Itäkatu Family Centre.

Social counselling for families with children

Social counselling for families with children advises and helps families with children under the age of 18. You can contact us at a low threshold when you are seeking solutions to upbringing issues, parenting challenges or straining daily life. You do not need to know in advance what kind of help your family would benefit from.

Family counselling clinic

In addition to offering family social work services, the family counselling clinic provides help to families in various crisis situations. The staff includes social workers and psychologists. Also, various groups for parents and groups aiming to help families support their child’s emotional and social development hold meetings at the clinic.

Home services for families with children

The home services for families with children provide practical help to families in difficult times. The services can help you with everyday tasks such as household chores and childcare. You can get home services for families with children based on a special family situation, for example.

Home services for families with children are generally subject to a fee. However, according to a decision by the Social Services, Health Care and Rescue Services Committee, the services are free of charge to families with children in need of special support who are clients of social work and have their need for home services recorded in their client plan.

Family social work

A family that welcomes a child with special needs may need specialised support. Family social services provide support in various situations, such as when your child falls ill or you are exhausted as a parent. A social worker will prepare a client plan which details the most suitable services and support measures for you. In carrying out family social work, we collaborate with schools, daycare centres, family counselling clinics and specialised health care services.

See the contact information of family social work services

Personal assistant

A personal assistant helps you live your life independently and on your own terms. The assistant helps you in your everyday tasks, studies or hobbies.

Personal assistance can be arranged using the employer model, in which case you or your family hire an assistant and act as the assistant's employer. The City of Helsinki will pay the assistant's salary based on the information you provide. Alternatively, you can get assistance using a service voucher or through the City's purchasing service. In these cases, you cannot choose your assistant and shifts may be given to different people.

Support person

A support person is a volunteer who can join you in recreational and leisure activities, such as going to the cinema or an event. A support person can also be a someone to have a chat with or a companion for outdoors activities.

Transport services

You may apply for transport services if you are unable to use public transport because of a disability or illness. Transport services make it easier for you to travel to and from different recreational activities in your free time, for example.

Informal care

Informal care refers to care and support provided at home to a person with a disability or illness with the help of their relative or loved one. If your parent acts as your caregiver, they will receive monetary compensation and statutory holidays.

Short-term care

Short-term care can be arranged for you when, for example, your parent is your caregiver and they need time off. For you, temporary care can also be an opportunity to enjoy a new experience.

Family care

If you need care around the clock and it not possible for your parents to take care of you at home even with the support of other services, it is possible to apply for you to receive a place in family care. In family care, you will live in a family-like setting in a family home. Family homes are located in Helsinki, the Helsinki metropolitan area, and other municipalities in Finland.

Home care

If you have a severe illness or disability, your family may have a greater need for support in taking care for you. One option for support is home care, which is a service package consisting of home health care and home services. Home care may be grated on a regular or temporary basis.