Who is this guide for?
This guide is for you if a child, parent or the whole family needs support with daily life, health, coping, disability, school, daycare or a social situation.
This is not only a crisis guide, not medical advice and not a legal encyclopedia. The goal is to understand where to contact and who is responsible for what.
What are child and family support services?
Child and family support services are services that support the child's growth, parenting and the family's wellbeing. Support can be light guidance, help from the child health clinic, support at daycare or school, social services or disability services.
When the family needs support
Step 1
Write down the concern or need
This is the next point in the route.
Step 2
Choose the first contact: clinic, school, daycare or wellbeing services county service
Check your situation before the next action.
Step 3
Ask who is responsible for the next step
This is the next point in the route.
Step 4
Request written guidance if the matter is complex
This is the next point in the route.
Step 5
Follow agreed appointments, decisions and contacts
Follow messages and reply to requests on time.
You can ask for support before the situation becomes a crisis. Early contact often makes the situation easier.
Who is responsible for family support?
The wellbeing services county is responsible for health and social services. Its duties include primary healthcare, social welfare, services for children, young people and families, and disability services. Helsinki organises its own health and social services.
The municipality is still responsible for early childhood education and basic education, for example. That is why family support may involve several actors: wellbeing services county, municipality, school, daycare, Kela and sometimes DVV or Migri.
Wellbeing services county
Health and social services, such as clinics, social services and disability services.
Municipality
Early childhood education, basic education and local school or daycare practices.
Kela
Benefits and interpreter service for the disabled, if the conditions are met.
Clinic and health services
The child health clinic is often the first support contact for a young child and parents. The clinic follows the child's growth and the family's wellbeing, and it can guide the family to other services if support is needed.
For a school-age child, the contact may be school health care, student welfare or another wellbeing services county health service. Family Guide does not give medical advice, but points to official healthcare channels.
Social services for families
If the family needs help with daily strain, parenting, income, housing, child safety or another social situation, the right direction may be the wellbeing services county's social services.
Contacting social services does not automatically mean a crisis or a child welfare client relationship. It may also be guidance, assessment of service needs or referral to the right service.
Start with contact
Briefly explain the family's situation and what help you need. Ask for the next step in writing.
Disability services
If the child or parent has a disability or long-term functional limitation, the wellbeing services county's disability services may be the right service channel. Support may relate to daily participation, mobility, housing, personal assistance or other necessary support.
Disability services do not replace the tasks of school, daycare or Kela, but they may work alongside them. Ask the service what documents or assessments are needed.
Services can work together
A child may have school support, health services, disability services and Kela interpreting service at the same time.
Support at daycare and school
If the concern relates to daycare, pre-primary education or school, it is often best to start there. Daycare and school can assess what support the child needs in daily life, learning, communication or participation.
If the matter also concerns health or a social situation, daycare or school may cooperate with wellbeing services county services. Ask for agreed matters to be written clearly.
If the situation is urgent
If there is immediate danger to life, health or safety, call 112. If you need urgent health or social services guidance but it is not an emergency, STM directs people to call the Medical Helpline 116 117 before going to emergency care.
If you are unsure, use your region's official urgent-help guidance. Do not wait if the child or family's safety is at risk.
Calm distinction
112 is for emergencies. 116 117 is for urgent guidance when you need assessment and direction.
If you need a sign language interpreter
In family support services, an interpreter may be needed at the clinic, social services, disability services, school, daycare or Kela. Kela's interpreter service for the disabled is a separate service and requires a Kela decision.
Tell the service early that you need sign language interpreting or other accessible communication. Ask for important guidance in writing as well.