sosiaalityön

Sosiaalityö, or social work, is a professional field centered on supporting individuals, families, and communities to improve well-being, cope with life challenges, and enhance social inclusion. It combines knowledge from social sciences with practical approaches to address both personal and structural problems, such as poverty, discrimination, and housing insecurity. The work is guided by rights-based, client-centered ethics and aims to empower people to participate in decision-making about their own lives.

In Finland, sosiaalityö is a part of the welfare state's social services. Social workers operate mainly in municipal social services but are also found in health care settings, schools, housing organizations, and non-governmental organizations. Common tasks include needs assessment, counseling, case management, service planning, advocacy, crisis intervention, and coordinating support among different services. Work often involves collaborating with children and families, the elderly, persons with disabilities, immigrants, and individuals facing substance use problems or homelessness.

Practice is guided by professional standards, ethical guidelines, and legislation related to social welfare, child protection, and client rights. The field emphasizes collaboration with other professionals—such as nurses, doctors, teachers, and housing workers—and with service users to design individualized care and support plans. There is a growing emphasis on evidence-based approaches, evaluation, and outcome-oriented practice.

Education for sosiaalityö typically leads to bachelor’s or master’s degrees in social work, after which practitioners may pursue licensure or professional registration. Ongoing professional development, supervision, and adherence to ethical codes are standard aspects of the profession. The field has a prominent role in shaping social policy and service delivery in Finland and other Nordic countries, with a focus on social justice, equality, and community-based support.