Family service social workers and family workers help families with children who are struggling for various reasons. Those reasons may be related to family life crises, illnesses, addiction problems, complicated relationships or other problems related to everyday life and raising children. The service is meant to help all family members with their problems, since children have a happier childhood when the whole family is doing well.

A helping team of two will work with the family, consisting of a social worker and a family worker. Family workers meet their clients in the family centre, visit them at their homes and if needed, accompany and help them in public institutions. The length of the service depends on the family’s need. The average length is one year.

The service includes help and counselling in:

• questions related to hygiene, food, budgeting and household matters
• creating appropriate conditions for raising and caring for children
• motivation and coping skills
• recovering or creating a social network
• solving other practical problems

Work with the family takes place on workdays during daytime at least once a week, for one to two hours at a time. If necessary and upon agreement between the parties, they can also work on weekends and on public holidays.