Sosiaalityö

Sosiaalityö is the professional field focused on supporting individuals, families, groups, and communities to improve well‑being, social functioning, and rights. It combines direct practice with policy work and service development, guided by ethical principles and a commitment to social justice. Practitioners work with clients to assess needs, plan interventions, provide support, and advocate for appropriate services and resources.

Work settings include municipal social services, child-protection agencies, health care, schools, housing and asylum services, and non-governmental organizations. Methods commonly used in sosiaalityö include casework, counseling, family work, community development, coordination of services, and advocacy. Approaches such as strengths‑based practice, person‑in‑environment (ecological) theory, empowerment, anti‑discrimination, and evidence‑based practice guide interventions.

In Finland, sosiaalityö is a university- or university of applied sciences–based profession. Social workers typically hold a master’s degree (sosiaalityön maisteri) or a bachelor’s degree (sosionomi) and are trained in ethics, assessment, intervention planning, interprofessional collaboration, and research methods. The profession is governed by national legislation and professional codes of ethics, with emphasis on client rights, confidentiality, and cultural competence.

Current trends in sosiaalityö include stronger interagency cooperation, digital tools, and an emphasis on inclusion and prevention. Key areas of focus include safeguarding vulnerable groups, child welfare (lastensuojelu), housing and poverty, mental health, and migration and integration. Research and evaluation support practice development and inform policy dialogue, aiming to strengthen social protection systems and reduce inequality.