Children Oriented Child Welfare (5 cr)

Evaluation scale

0-5

Objective

The purpose of the course is to increase your understanding of the child welfare process as part of social services.

Competencies:

Social service system competences (Bachelor of Social Services)
Competence in social client work (Bachelor of Social Services)
Ethical competences in the social field (Bachelor of Social Services)

Rehabilitation service system (Rehabilitation counselling)
Rehabilitation planning (Rehabilitation counselling)

Learning outcomes:

You are familiar with the legal framework in the field and work in accordance with key legislation (Social Welfare Act, Child Welfare Act). You are familiar with key child protection services.

You can describe the child welfare client and service process from a child-centred perspective. You identify service needs and know how to plan and evaluate goal-oriented client work.

You understand the aims, values, principles and working methods of child welfare. You can think in a child-centred and professionally ethical way and consider the interests and rights of the child as a starting point for your work.

Content

The course focuses on the child welfare process and the legislation governing it: preventive child welfare, identification of child welfare needs, child and family-specific child welfare (open care, substitute care, after-care) and documentation. The values guiding child welfare, ethics and a child-centered approach will be examined.

Location and time

Katso koodilla SZ00CI90-3002 opintojakson opetuksen aikataulut osoitteesta https://lukkarit.peppi.jamk.fi

Materials

Lastensuojelulaki 2007/417

Sosiaalihuoltolaki 1301/2014

Räty, Tapio (2023). Lastensuojelulaki - Käytäntö ja soveltaminen.

Lastensuojelun käsikirja / THL (verkkomateriaali)

Araneva, Mirjam (2022). Lapsen suojelu, toteuttaminen ja päätöksenteko. Käsikirja lapsen asioista päättävälle. Talentum Pro.

Kiili, Jaakola, Anis, Lamponen & Stenvall (toim.) (2024). Lapsiperheiden ja lastensuojelun sosiaalityö.

Teaching methods

Teaching and learning methods used include webinars, independent work, independent or small group study visits and reporting, tests in the Moodle learning environment and written learning assignments in pairs. The learning method will be integrative pedagogy (e.g. case work), combining theory, practice, reflection and socio-cultural knowledge, i.e. knowledge learned through participation.

The learning outcomes of the course is built up part by part. It is therefore important that you participate in each webinar. In the webinars, you will receive guidance and support in working and progressing through the course. Webinars are interactive learning situations and you will be prepared for them according to the instructions given in advance. To participate in webinars, you will need a working camera, headphones and microphone.

If you are using AI in your assignments, please include a verbal description of how, to what extent and where you have used it.

Employer connections

Study visit to an organisation providing child protection services
Visit by an experience expert
Visit by a representative from working life

Exam schedules

Online exams (2 tests) in Moodle
Written learning task in pairs
Study visit and its reporting in Moodle

Detailed timetables can be found in the Moodle workspace.

Completion alternatives

You can apply for admission with previous equivalent higher education studies (content/objectives/extent), or with at least one year (12 months) of work experience in child welfare work that is relevant to the content and objectives of the course. Discuss your competences with your tutor and, if necessary, submit an e-application at least two weeks before the start of the course.

Student workload

Webinars 16h, preparation for webinars 10h, study visit and reporting 10h, tests 2h,
independent work and written learning assignment in pairs 97 h. Total 135 hours.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

1= You can describe the child welfare process and name the laws that govern it. You can explain what ethics and child-centered approach mean in child welfare, and what principles and values guide the work.


2= You can describe the process of child welfare and give examples of it. You can define the laws that govern the process. You can explain what ethics and child-centered approach in child welfare mean and what principles and values guide the work.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

3= You can present and give examples of the child welfare process. You can apply the laws governing the process. You can explain what ethics and child-centered approach mean in child welfare and what principles and values guide the work. You can explain how the above issues are reflected in practical work.


4= You can describe and justify the process of child welfare and interpret the legislation governing the process. You can analyze what is meant by ethics and child-centered approach in child welfare and what principles and values guide the work. You will be able to justify how these issues are reflected in practical work.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

5= You can present and evaluate the child welfare process and interpret the legislation governing the process. You can analyze what ethics and child-centered approach mean in child welfare, and what principles and values guide the work. You will be able to justify how these issues are reflected in practice. You will be able to relate the themes to the wider social context.

Qualifications

Knowledge of the Finnish social welfare service system.

Further information

The course is assessed by a study visit and its report (approved-fail), Moodle tests (approved-fail) and a written learning assignment (0-5). The learning assignment includes a personal self-assessment of the student based on the learning objectives of the course. The numerical grade for the course will be given on the basis of the written learning task.