Demanding client work (5 cr)

Evaluation scale

0-5

Objective

The aim of the course is to deepen your knowledge of planning, managing and evaluating demanding customer processes. It will also deepen your understanding of the multidisciplinary environment and the development needs of society and working life, and how to address them in an ethical manner.

Competencies:

Sustainable development
Expertise in the social field
Social research and development

Learning outcomes:

You will be able to analyse and evaluate the systemic interdependencies of complex interdisciplinary problems and the different dimensions of solutions in a client-oriented way.

You will be able to work independently in demanding expert tasks and, as a social expert, promote multi-disciplinary cooperation.

You will be able to develop and lead multidisciplinary teams and working communities in complex and unpredictable environments and networks.

Content

The main focus of the course is the planning, management and evaluation of demanding customer processes in multidisciplinary environments and networks, and the documentation and management of customer information.

Location and time

To 4.9.2025, 12-16.00, lähiopetus
Ke 1.10.2025, 14-18.00, webinaari
Ke 5.11.2025, 14-18.00, webinaari
To 27.11.2025, 14-18.00, webinaari

Materials

The following work will be used throughout the course:

Payne, M. 2020. How to Use Social Work Theory in Practice. Policy Press.

In addition, you can use the following sources as part of your learning tasks:

Arnkil, T., E. 2020 Kunnioittava ja toivoa herättävä kohtaaminen. Helsinki: THL.
https://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-343-495-0

Mönkkönen, K. 2018: Vuorovaikutus asiakastyössä. Asiakkaan kohtaaminen sosiaali- ja terveysalalla. Tallinna: Gaudeamus.

Raitakari, S., Harrikari, T., Hekkala, M. & Kivipelto, M. (toim.) Sosiaalityö kriiseissä ja poikkeuksellisissa olosuhteissa. Sosiaalityön tutkimuksen vuosikirja 2023. Saatavana verkossa.

Raatikainen, E. 2015. Lujita luottamusta: Asiakassuhteen rakentaminen sosiaali- ja terveysalalla. PS-kustannus.

Teaching methods

Teaching and learning methods used include webinars, face-to-face teaching at school, independent work, independent or small group assignments in Moodle.

Both webinars and in-class tutorials are interactive learning situations and you will be prepared for them according to the instructions given in advance (which will be given in the Moodle workspace).

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

Employer connections

Visits by representatives from working life

Exam schedules

The learning tasks are spread evenly throughout the course and the exact schedule will be announced in Moodle at the beginning of the course.

Student workload

Preparation for Moodle, learning tasks and planning your own schedule 5h,
preparation and participation for face-to-face learning and webinars 6h,
group work and independent work 110h.

Total 135h

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Sufficient level (1)

You will identify the key knowledge base of special needs counselling and use it in demanding client work. Identify the principles and starting points for multi-professional work. Identify and describe client processes and the basis for an overall assessment of their impact.

Satisfactory (2)

You will identify and apply the key knowledge base of special needs counselling and use it in demanding client work. Identify and apply the principles and starting points of multidisciplinary work in your work. Understand and be able to design client processes and the basis for an overall assessment of their impact.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

Good (3)

You can apply and analyse the key knowledge base of social guidance and use it in demanding client work. You analyse the basis and starting points for multidisciplinary work. You will be able to plan, manage and evaluate client processes and make an overall assessment of their impact.

Excellent (4)

You can apply, analyse and evaluate the key knowledge base of social guidance and use it in demanding client work. You analyse and evaluate the basis and starting points of multidisciplinary work. You will be able to plan, manage and evaluate client processes and make an informed overall assessment of their impact.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Excellent (5)

You will be able to apply, analyse and evaluate the key knowledge base of special needs counselling and use it in demanding client work. You will critically analyse and evaluate, with reflection, the basis and starting points for multidisciplinary work in your work. You will be able to plan, manage and evaluate client processes and make an overall assessment of their impact in a well-founded way, highlighting new perspectives.

Further information

The course is assessed by the learning assignments completed during the course (approved-fail) and by a numerically assessed learning assignment (0-5) summarising the topics covered during the course. All the learning assignments given during the course must be passed.The numerical grade for the course is given on the basis of a written summative learning assignment. The course also includes a personal self-assessment based on the learning objectives of the course.