Frequently asked questions about different notifications of concern

This contact form is used when a person needs support from social welfare services. The aim is to assess the person’s situation and, if necessary, ensure that they receive the right kind of help as early as possible.

A notification about the need for social welfare services is submitted when you are concerned about a person’s wellbeing and suspect that they may need support from social services. The aim is to assess the person’s situation and, if necessary, ensure that they receive help as early as possible.

Anyone can submit a notification of concern if they are concerned about a person’s wellbeing and suspect that the person may need support from social services. As a private individual, you can also submit a notification anonymously. In that case, fill in this form: Notification to social welfare services for assessing the need for support.

Not necessarily. If you do not have the person’s consent, use the form Notification to social welfare services for assessing the need for support(external link). You can submit a notification without consent, for example, if the person does not realise that they need help or is unable to seek help themselves.

If you have the person’s consent, you can use the form Contact with the authority responsible for social welfare services(external link).

Social welfare professionals process the notification and get in touch with the person concerned. They will then determine whether the person needs support or services from social welfare services.

Yes. An adult can refuse an assessment of their service needs and any help offered to them.

The more accurate the information you provide, the easier it is for social welfare professionals to assess the situation and process the matter smoothly. If you know the person’s personal identity code or date of birth, include it in the notification. This helps us identify and reach the right person.

Notifications of concern are stored in the social welfare client information system and archived in the social welfare client data repository (Kanta Services).

The person whom the matter concerns usually has the right to see the information in the notification.

All the information you enter in the notification will be visible in MyKanta to the person whom the matter concerns. 

If you are a public official and disclosing your details would put you at risk, you can describe the risk and the grounds for it in the notification. If necessary, the name of the person submitting the notification can be withheld in situations permitted by law.

This depends on which type of notification you are submitting.

You cannot contact the authority responsible for social welfare services anonymously. You can use this form only if you have the consent of the person whom the matter concerns.

You can submit a notification to social welfare services for assessing the need for support without the person’s consent. If you want to submit the notification anonymously, leave your own details blank.

A child welfare notification can also be submitted anonymously. If you want to submit the notification anonymously, do not enter your own details on the form.

If you are a public official or another person with a duty to notify, you must always provide your name. If you are a public official and providing your details would put you at risk, you can describe the risk and the grounds for it in the notification. If necessary, the name of the person submitting the notification can be withheld in situations permitted by law.

The person who submitted the notification will not be given information on the progress of the matter without the client’s consent.

When a person’s need for help is identified early, their wellbeing and ability to cope with everyday life can be better supported.

If the person does not give their consent for the notification to be submitted, submit a notification to social welfare services for assessing the need for support(external link). You can submit a notification, for example, if the person does not understand that they need help or is unable to seek help themselves.

Submit a notification without delay if the best interests of a child require it or if an adult is clearly unable to take care of their own wellbeing, health or safety.

Yes. Submit a notification even if the matter has already been reported or the person is already a client of social services.

Yes. Under the Social Welfare Act, public officials have a duty to notify, and this duty takes precedence over confidentiality provisions. If you are a public official or another person with a statutory duty to notify, you must also provide your name. 

If the matter concerns mental health and substance abuse services related to housing, you may use the form Contact with the authority responsible for social welfare services(external link).  On the basis of the information provided, we will assess the need for services and, where necessary, guide the person to appropriate social services.

If your concern is related to other mental health or substance abuse problems, contact the Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County’s mental health and substance abuse services directly.

In life-threatening situations, call the emergency number 112. 

In other emergency or crisis situations, you can find important phone numbers here: In an emergency or crisis situation | Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County

In health-related matters, you can contact health services, where we provide care for the health, wellbeing and illnesses of people of all ages: Health services | Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County.

You can print out the form and send it by post to:

Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County
Social Services Guidance
Lintuvaarantie 2 A
02650 Espoo 

You can also return the form to the child welfare mailbox next to the main entrance of the Espoo service unit at Lintuvaarantie 2 A. You can return the following forms there: 

• Child welfare notification
• Contact with the authority responsible for social welfare services 
• Notification to social welfare services for assessing the need for support.

Below is a PDF form that you can print. Choose at the beginning of the form whether you are completing Contact with the authority responsible for social welfare services or Notification to social welfare services for assessing the need for support. 

• Form: Contact with / notification to the social welfare services for assessing the need for support (PDF)

You can contact Social Services Guidance via Lunna or by phone: Social Services Guidance – Support for Everyday Challenges | Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County

Alternatively, you can contact Senior Info via Lunna or by phone: Senior Info | Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County