Naulakallio Children's Home

We recognise how important it is for a child’s development to form personal and safe interactive relationships with adults. We meet each child in a genuine, understanding and caring manner. We accept all children and young people exactly as they are. 

We strive to take care of the children according to their individual strengths and needs, and to secure their age-appropriate growth and development. We support the children in discovering their personal resources and building a positive self-image. We encourage them to take an active role in handling their own affairs.  

Daily life at Naulakallio consists of activities that bring security to the lives of the children and support their growth and development. We aim to ensure that life at the ward resembles life at home as closely as possible. The adults at the ward ensure that everyone feels comfortable and safe. We work towards predictability and safe togetherness in all of our activities. The adults set appropriate boundaries for the children’s behaviour and help them express strong emotions. 

All children have their own rooms and the right to a calm personal space. The common areas include the living room, kitchen, gym and sauna. The unit is surrounded by a large green yard area. 

We make occasional trips outside the children’s home. We encourage children to engage in hobbies and support them in their leisure time. 

Under adult guidance, the children practice various day-to-day and life management skills. At the wards, the children learn how to take care of themselves and consider others.  

The wards have a regular weekly rhythm. Our day-to-day activities include shared meals, cleaning, ward meetings, joint ward evenings and leisure time, during which the children can meet friends outside the children’s home.  

The children attend school according to the agreed plan. Some of the children go to Naulakallio School, which provides special support. 
 

All children are assigned a personal carer who has primary responsibility for their affairs. Personal carers pay particular attention to ensuring that what is important to each child’s development and well-being is considered and that the child’s individual needs are met. 

The client plan prepared for each child by the case social worker provides a framework for our care efforts. Each child at the children’s home also has a care and upbringing plan, which the personal carer has prepared with the child, the parents, other adults at the ward and the children's home psychologist. The plan takes all areas of the child’s life into account. We assess the fulfilment of the care and upbringing plan together on a monthly basis.  

The children also have a weekly programme prepared with their own personal carers. 

It is extremely important to us that parents and guardians are informed about their child’s life at Naulakallio. We always work towards cooperation, openness, respect, trust and partnership with the family in raising each child.  

We call the parents at least once a week and, if necessary, on a daily basis during home trials, for example. The personal carer and senior instructor meet the family regularly and as needed. 

The child’s parents, family and loved ones are welcome and encouraged to visit the wards during visitation hours. At weekends, the children can spend time at home with their families, if this is possible and appropriate agreements are made. 

Our staff members have a variety of training and expertise for fulfilling the children’s needs and ensuring their safety. 

Our employees are bachelors of social services, nurses and practical nurses. The two psychologists of Naulakallio Children’s Home participate in the care and treatment of each child. Children and parents can meet with the psychologists to discuss any concerns they might have. 

The nurses are tasked with ensuring that the children are provided with health care services and medication. 

The cooks of Naulakallio Children’s Home prepare the meals in our kitchen. The office secretary is in charge of the office. 

We cooperate with schools, youth employment and education services, the HUS children’s psychiatry and adolescent psychiatry outpatient clinic, the HUS adolescent addiction psychiatry outpatient clinic and Youth Station, for example. 

The unit has two wards: Intro 1 and Intro 2, which are a detoxification unit and a mental health unit. We primarily treat children aged 16–17, who need detoxification, assessment and rehabilitation with regard to substance abuse and mental health support.  

Both wards have six places. 

We plan comprehensive treatment together with each child, the parents, a social worker and possible other treatment providers.  

We always begin treatment at Intro with a detoxification and assessment period. The purpose is to stop the child’s severe substance abuse and other harmful behaviour. 

The detoxification and assessment period enables us to analyse the child’s situation comprehensively, assess the individual need for treatment and plan further treatment together with the child, family and support network. The child’s designated personal carer and personal nurse are in charge of assessment and treatment, in cooperation with the rest of the work group, a psychologist and a doctor. 

The detoxification and assessment period lasts at least 30 days. During the period, we restrict the child’s movement and contacts. Possible school attendance and work will also be interrupted. After the period, the child can return home, to a children’s home or continue at Intro. 

Daily activities at the wards are guided by a clear and regular daily programme. We work closely with the parents. 

At the latest, the work will end when the child turns 18 and moves out of the ward. 

Our team includes bachelors of social services, nurses, practical nurses and an occupational therapist. The wards also employ a psychologist and part-time doctor.  

We cooperate closely with the HUS adolescent substance abuse psychiatry outpatient clinic, Kontula health station, Malmi Hospital’s  emergency outpatient clinic, the police and the Criminal Sanctions Agency, for example.