Working temporarily in social services

Under certain conditions, a person may temporarily perform the duties of a legalised social welfare professional. A legalised professional is entitled to hold permanent employment in their profession. 

Temporary employment as a social worker

We are currently updating this paragraph.

Temporary employment as a ‘sosionomi’ (Social Service Professional) or ‘geronomi’ (Professional of Applied Gerontology)

By law, a person who is studying for the profession of ‘sosionomi’ or ‘geronomi’ or who has completed a university-level degree applicable for the social welfare sector and who has sufficient competence for performing the relevant duties may be employed on a temporary basis for no more than one year. The employer must evaluate the applicability of the qualifications of the person in question and their competence.

Right to practise temporarily as a licenced professional for persons who have completed a degree abroad

A person who has completed a social welfare degree or qualification outside Finland may be temporarily employed in the duties of a legalised social welfare professional in Finland only while undergoing the adaptation period mandated by Valvira or by the National Agency for Education.  Such a person may begin their adaptation period once they have acquired the language skills required for performing their duties and have been issued a registration certificate for the adaptation period by Valvira. Read more about how to complete the adaptation period on our website.