Project goal
The main objective of the ‘IntO – Integration through Participation’ project is to improve the coordination of the different child welfare and adolescent psychiatry services in an innovative, concrete and comprehensive way.
The project will develop and introduce a new type of network cooperation model between the City of Helsinki, the child welfare services of the wellbeing services counties of Uusimaa and Adolescent Psychiatry at the Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa (HUS). It is guided by the principles of child participation and a knowledge and research-based approach. The model will improve the timeliness of joint client services and the targeting of resources to the support and care needs of joint clients and their families.
The solutions being developed will be more effective in addressing the complex support and care needs of vulnerable joint clients, thus preventing substitute care and improving the service received by young people in substitute care.
Target groups
The target group of the project includes child welfare community and substitute care and HUS Adolescent Psychiatry professionals in Helsinki and the wellbeing services counties of Uusimaa (Eastern Uusimaa, Central Uusimaa, Western Uusimaa, Vantaa and Kerava).
The indirect target group is 13–17-year-old child welfare and adolescent psychiatry service clients and their families in Helsinki and Uusimaa.
Key measures
The project will work in partnerships to develop and deploy
- a child-centred and research-based network cooperation model for professionals in Child Welfare in the City of Helsinki, the wellbeing services counties of Uusimaa and HUS Adolescent Psychiatry;
- an integrated operating and treatment model suitable for child welfare institutional care and university hospital level adolescent psychiatry hybrid units.
The involvement of children, young people and parents in the development activities will be an ongoing part of the project's co-development process.
Timetable, implementers and funding
The project will run from 1 September 2025 to 31 December 2027.
The project is implemented in cooperation with the City of Helsinki, HUS Adolescent Psychiatry, the Centre of Expertise on Social Welfare Socca/HUS and the Osallisuuden aika ry association.
The Uusimaa wellbeing services counties of Eastern Uusimaa, Central Uusimaa, Western Uusimaa, Vantaa and Kerava will serve as project partners.
The project is funded as part of the ‘Safety nets for the future of young people’ programme with ESF project funding.
Contact information
Minna Rantalaiho
Project Manager, City of Helsinki
050 597 2342
minna.rantalaiho@hel.fi(Link opens default mail program)
Laura Ikäheimonen
Project Specialist, City of Helsinki
050 467 5459
laura.ikaheimonen@hel.fi(Link opens default mail program)