The Helmi service is intended for children and young people from immigrant backgrounds who are clients of child welfare or family social work services.
Who is the service for, and how can I access it?
Your family may be eligible for this service if you meet the following conditions:
- your family has an immigrant background
- the children or young people who will receive the service are 7–17 years old
- the child or young person is a client of child welfare or family social work services
- your family has service needs that require the expertise of different professionals:
- for example, the young person may have health challenges
- for example, the parents may have financial difficulties or find it challenging to access various services due to a lack of language skills.
The child or young person’s designated social worker will assess whether the Helmi service is right for your family. If the service is suitable, the social worker will write you a referral to the service.
How is the work carried out?
In the Helmi service, we will build trust together. We will use an interpreter or an employee who can speak your language if necessary. You can speak in your first language.
We will take your family’s culture and background into account. Some of our employees are from immigrant backgrounds.
Our team includes:
- family work instructors
- social instructors from adult social work
- public health nurses.
We will put together a team that is right for you. On average, the team will work with you for half a year. Generally, we will meet once or twice a week. Most meetings will take place at your home or in other locations where you spend time in your everyday life. We can also meet at facilities of the City, such as family centres, health and wellbeing centres, or the Helmi service office in Herttoniemi (Laivalahdenkatu 2 b).
We will plan the content of the meetings with you. Together, we will practise things such as everyday skills, emotional skills and social interaction. We will discuss our progress towards the objectives on a regular basis.
The work involves:
- meetings with the young person alone
- meetings with the parents
- meetings with the whole family.
