Perheen tukena – perhetyö lapsi- ja perhesosiaalityössä

The SUFA
research project examines family work in child and family social work both
nationally and within the Central Finland wellbeing service county. The
research project is conducted in collaboration with professionals from the
Central Finland wellbeing service county, private service providers, and clients
– children, youth, and parents. The SUFA project continues the work done in the
LATU research project, which studied support person and support family practice
(funded by Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, 2021–2022). The
SUFA project utilizes similar methodological approaches (multi-perspective and
participatory research) and focuses on social welfare and child protection open
care services aimed at children, youth, and families. This builds a
comprehensive picture of the services situated at the interface of child and
family social work and child protection.

The project
enhances understanding of the current state of family work and the construction
of professional agency through national surveys and focus group interviews.
Additionally, the project produces qualitative knowledge on the support needs
of children, youth, and parents, and the (relational) agencies constructed in
family work. Data is collected through workshops for children and young people,
individual interviews with parents, and discussion events within the Central
Finland wellbeing service county.