Family work

A social worker in services for families or child welfare assesses the need for family support together with the family, and one alternative may be family work.

The services are meant for families

• with underaged children
• who wish for support concerning their own functional capacity and resources
• who wish to strengthen their everyday routines and their own know-how
• who have challenges concerning parenthood
• if there are questions concerning a child’s or adolescent’s growth/development/raising them
• if interaction between family members is a challenging
• if there is a change going on in the family
• if the support from the close network is not sufficient

Family work is discussion and counselling that supports parenthood and helps families cope with their everyday lives. Family work supports the family’s life management, interaction skills and practical approaches to child education.

Family work can be arranged in connection with child welfare clinics, early childhood education and care, schools or family centres. Family work can also be carried out at the family’s home.

If necessary, family work employees can refer the family to other services.