Mobile child welfare services

Intensified family work is a support measure in open care. It consists of intensive, structured, and goal-oriented intervention conducted in the family’s home and other familiar environments in the child’s life. Its primary goal is to strengthen family wellbeing and provide a safe, supportive environment for the child.

Goals are collaboratively established with families and their social worker. The goals are tangible, achievable, and focused on enhancing the child’s wellbeing. This intervention aims to promote parents’ ability to support the child’s age-appropriate growth and development.

Sessions occur two to four times per week in varying configurations, coordinated with the child's network and relevant authorities. This intervention typically lasts three months but can be extended based on effectiveness and family needs.

The service is accessed with a referral of the child's designated social worker.

An intensive open-care assessment is a support measure in open care. Intensive open-care assessment evaluates the needs and support requirements of families with children aged 0–17 who are clients of child welfare services. Conducted intensively over approximately two months,  

assessments occur in the family's home and other environments familiar to the child. During this period, the team also collaborates with the child’s network, such as schools, daycare centers, or psychiatric services. The work includes individual, parental, and family meetings. The aim is to work in close partnership with all parties actively involved in the child’s life.

Families are referred to Intensive open-care assessment through the child's assigned social worker. 

Multidimensional Family Therapy (MDFT) is an evidence-based therapeutic intervention specifically designed for youth aged 13–17 and their families. It is particularly suited for youth facing complex challenges—such as behavioural issues and/or substance abuse—where conventional interventions have fallen short. MDFT involves a single therapist working closely with the young person and family.

Therapy sessions occur 2 to 4 times weekly in various configurations. The total duration is 6 months.

The primary goal of MDFT is to transform the dynamics between the young person and their parents by introducing new, healthier patterns of action and interaction. The work includes individual, parental, and family meetings as well as working with their broader network.

An essential requirement for initiating MDFT is having at least one adult family member committed to active participation.

Referrals for MDFT Therapy are made by the child's assigned social worker.

Family work in substitute care is designed for families and family units with children in substitute care who need guidance due to their difficult circumstances. This intervention can be initiated at various stages of the child’s placement and may take on supportive, exploratory, or rehabilitative forms.

Goals are collaboratively established with families and their social worker. We work within the family’s everyday environment and social networks through both individual and family meetings.  

This service is also available to foster families.

The service is accessed with a referral of the child's designated social worker.

Service coordinator:

• Service supervisor for family work in substitute care Ulla Hellström (Espoo, Kirkkonummi, Kauniainen) tel. 040 636 6088
• Mobile child welfare services service supervisor Sari Mäkinen (Hanko, Raasepori, Inkoo, Siuntio, Lohja, Vihti, Karkkila) tel. 040 636 9845