Tapauskontakti

Tapauskontakti is a designated person who serves as the primary point of contact for a specific case within public services, health care, social work, or related sectors in Finland. The role is to ensure coherent communication among clients, families, service providers, and authorities, and to coordinate information and service delivery related to the case. The concept emphasizes continuity and clarity in handling a case across different actors and settings.

Typical responsibilities include receiving updates from different parties, relaying information to relevant actors, and arranging meetings or referrals. A tapauskontakti also safeguards client consent and data privacy, maintains case notes, monitors progress, and facilitates timely escalation when issues arise. The position is usually filled by a trained professional such as a social worker, case manager, nurse, or other authorized personnel who has access to case records and can authorize information sharing within legal and organizational guidelines.

Tapauskontakti is commonly used in social services, child protection, mental health care, education, and crisis intervention, among other areas. It involves formal designation by a supervising authority or case manager and is subject to confidentiality rules and data protection laws. Regular review and, when needed, replacement of the contact person help maintain continuity, especially in situations with staff turnover or changes in case status.

In practice, the effectiveness of a tapauskontakti depends on clear role definition, appropriate training, secure communication channels, and culturally and linguistically accessible processes for clients. The term is Finnish, and its equivalent in English is often rendered as “case contact” or “case liaison.”