11 Studies in Social Services

STUDIES IN SOCIAL SERVICES

The objective of studies in social services is the education of social welfare
professionals with the knowledge and skills to identify and evaluate both individual
and community needs in social development, and to effectively act to improve the
social well-being of the individual, family and community. These goals stem from
global developments, which are reflected on the national level in social and working
life. Our programme takes into special consideration the characteristics of the
Greater Helsinki Region, with trends of migration to the capital area, the
development of the information society, and urban life style.

Fighting social inequality and marginalisation, the aim of social services work is to
advance the ideals of equal rights to social welfare, the dignity of all individuals,
and their right to self-determination. Goals include the meeting of needs in
housing, the work environment, self-suffieciency, community life and personal
resources with a view to increasing the individuals potential to achieve a high
quality of life.

Ongoing change demands a wide knowledge base and a multi-faceted know-how.
The social services professional works toward the prevention and intervention of
social problems with various methods of client-centred work. The ability to
critically evaluate the effects of societal developments on the individual, the
community and his/her work is essential, as is the ability to take a creative
approach in individual client work as well as with co-workers. More and more, work
entails project-type initiatives, teamwork and networking. A reflective expertise
forms the basis of social welfare work, with an analytical and developmental
approach. Our programme incorporates these elements into our curriculum.

Our programme leads to qualifications for work in early childhood education and in
various child care activities, with youth and school related services, as well as
with the disabled, the elderly, and with substance abuse and correctional services.
Students develop competencies in the roles of counselling, leadership, and
management skills in a multi-cultural society both in Finland and abroad for various
social services and health care organizations, agencies and institutions. Both public and private social welfare and health care organisations are potential employers for graduates of our programme.

Information technology of welfare services programme, the Degree Programme in Espoo, offers professional qualifications for those working with clients and individuals, in neighbourhood and community. Future employers include mainly organisations, associations, the private and public sectors as well as organisers of regional plans and various projects.

11.0.1    In Brief:

11.0.2   Degree Programmes

INTERNATIONAL SOCIAL WORK EDUCATION PROGRAMME 210 ECTS
BACHELOR OF SOCIAL SERVICES, ESPOO

Espoo-Vantaa Polytechnic
Espoo Institute, Studies in Health Care and Social Services
Lehtimäentie 1 C, FIN-02770 Espoo
Contact Person: Ms. Arja Majakulma
Tel. +358 20 5787 534, Fax + 358 20 5787 501
Email: arja.majakulma@evamk.fi

Two different concentration areas of study in Social Welfare in Espoo:
Information Technology of Welfare Services
The Psychosocial Approach to Work

11.1.0.1   Common studies for both concentration areas:

11.1.0.2   EF 1 BASIC STUDIES

11.1.0.3   EF 400 Prerequisites for learning (6 ECTS)

11.1.0.4   EF 4000 Finnish (3 ECTS)

11.1.0.5    EF 4010 Information technology (3 ECTS)

11.1.0.6   EF 2 PROFESSIONAL STUDIES

11.1.0.7   EF 20 BASIC PROFESSIONAL STUDIES

11.1.0.8   EF 280 STUDY MODULE: THE BASIS OF SOCIAL WELFARE WORK (24 ECTS) (practice training 15 ECTS).

11.1.0.9    The Study Units:

11.1.0.10    EF 2801 Changes in Finnish Society

11.1.0.11    EF 2810 Social Problems and Marginalisation

11.1.0.12    EF 2830 The fields of social work

11.1.0.13    EF 2840 Developing Professional Communication

11.1.0.14    EF 2850 Practice training 15 ECTS

11.1.0.15    INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY OF WELFARE SERVICES

ENGLISH LANGUAGE COURSE PROVISION IN VANTAA 2000-2001
SOCIAL WELFARE WORK AND CITIZENS’ ADVICE SERVICES

Espoo-Vantaa Polytechnic
Vantaa Institute
Karsikkokuja 15
FIN-01360 Vantaa
Contact Person: Ms. Hannele Voutilainen
Tel. + 358 20 5787 327
Fax + 358 20 5787 301
Email: hannele.voutilainen@evamk.fi

11.2.0.1    EA 7100 Child Care, the Family and Gender

11.2.0.2    EA 7054 Self Help Groups

ENGLISH LANGUAGE COURSE PROVISION IN TUUSULA 2000-2001
SOCIAL SERVICES

Espoo-Vantaa Polytechnic
Tuusulanjärvi Institute
Sibeliuksenkatu 55, FIN-04400 Järvenpää
Contact person: Ms. Mari Syrjäpalo
Tel. + 358 20 5787 913
fax + 358 20 5787 901
Email: mari.syrjapalo@evamk.fi