Non-institutional child welfare services

You can receive guidance and advice by contacting the child welfare office during office hours.

If you and your family are already registered with child welfare services, please contact your allocated social worker (social worker responsible for the child's affairs).

Non-institutional child welfare services are initiated based on a social worker’s assessment, which could be a service needs assessment. Non-institutional child welfare services are needed when a child’s health or development is at risk, or when standard social services for families with children are not enough. It could also be that standard family services are enough to deal with the situation, but the family does not want to accept the necessary services, in which case child welfare services and support measures are required.

Non-institutional child welfare supports children, young people and families in situations where support is needed for social, financial and other similar reasons or because they cannot cope with everyday life. In addition to counselling and therapy, non-institutional child welfare can also provide support person and family activities, family work and rehabilitation, peer groups, and support for hobbies, holidays and recreational activities.

For example, the child and the family can receive support for improving inadequate housing conditions, school attendance and studies, and maintaining close relationships. The services are combined into a personalised service package. The wellbeing services county organises the services as necessary.