Lastenneuvonta

Lastenneuvonta, literally “child guidance,” is a Finnish municipal service within the public welfare system that provides information, guidance, and early support to families with children. The service covers from pregnancy and early infancy through adolescence and aims to promote the child's healthy development, safety, and well-being as well as to support families in everyday life.

The staff often include social workers, family counselors, and other professionals who can offer practical parenting guidance, developmental information, advice on education and care arrangements, and help in accessing other services (such as health care, daycare, schools, or specialized support). The service can address concerns about a child’s development, behavior, sleep, or schooling, and can provide referrals to more specialized services when needed.

Access is arranged by municipalities and is typically available to guardians or parents, as well as to professionals such as teachers or health professionals who notice concerns. The service emphasizes accessibility and early intervention and seeks to coordinate among different parts of the welfare system, including maternity and child health clinics (neuvola), day care, schools, and, if necessary, child protection services (lastensuojelu).

Lastenneuvonta is part of Finland’s child welfare and social services framework and is intended to support families before problems escalate, reducing the need for more intensive interventions while promoting the well-being and development of children and young people.