Social workers stand up for vulnerable people in society
Social justice has been a topic of interest for Maarit Lapinleimu ever since her childhood. Inspired by Marx in her younger years, Maarit has worked in social work for almost twenty years. In social policy, Maarit is interested in how society takes care of its most vulnerable members.
In secondary school, Maarit took interest in journalistic work and even studied communications, but, eventually, she decided to switch to social policy.
– There is nothing more intriguing than social policy, because it examines how things are, how they should be and how they could be, Maarit explains.
During her studies, Maarit worked as a social worker with immigrants in Kotka. After realising how tangible a contribution she could make to help people as a social worker, she almost immediately gave up her earlier dreams of working at the ministry.
Her desire to understand society in a broader sense encouraged Maarit to complete a master’s degree in social sciences. As qualification requirements in social work were tightened up, Maarit also decided to complete a master’s degree in political sciences.
What is social work?
Maarit told us she gained a deeper insight in social work only after working at the job.
– We are often the last service to lift people in distress out of their difficult and straining life situations. A middle-class working person may not necessarily ever interact with our social workers.
In Maarit's opinion, the interesting part in social work is to examine the life situation of a person as a whole and, based on that, assess their need for help.
In social welfare and healthcare, many tend to only remember the healthcare services. However, the social services are as important a part of our system, Maarit reminds us.
Maarit has spent her career doing different jobs in the social sector. She has worked at the immigration office, in adult social work, in disability services and child welfare services. Most of her career, she spent in child welfare services.
Sensitivity and your own personality as assets in social work
Maarit has enjoyed her work at the Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County.
– I recently moved from Sompasaari in Helsinki to Ekenäs in the pursuit of nature and peace. Now I am working in adult social services for a change.
According to Maarit, her strengths in social work have been sensitivity and putting her personality on the line. Her dream of being a writer also came true since a social worker also has to know how to skilfully narrate different situations. She would remind her younger self and young people in general that it is worth believing in yourself.
– You are really good at what you do.