Temporary employment performing the duties of a legalised social welfare professional

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

1. Student studying for the profession of social worker

Under section 12(1) of the Act on Social Welfare Professionals, a person studying for the profession of social worker who has acceptably completed basic studies and subject studies in social welfare studies and the related practical training may be employed to perform the duties of a social worker on a temporary basis for no more than one year. As a student, you may request your educational institution to issue a certificate stating that you have acceptably completed your subject studies and the related practical training.

2. Applicable degree, basic and subject studies and practical training

A person who has completed an applicable university degree in social sciences or an applicable qualification in health care and social welfare at a university of applied sciences, within which or in addition to which they have acceptably completed basic and subject studies and practical training in social work, may also be employed to perform the duties of a social worker on a temporary basis for no more than one year.
 
An “applicable university degree in social sciences” means a degree in social sciences in accordance with the educational responsibility provisions in the Government Decree on University Degrees and Professional Specialisation Programmes. As an example, a university degree where the main subject is societal policy, social policy, sociology, administrative sciences or social psychology may be considered applicable. An “applicable qualification in health care and social welfare at a university of applied sciences” means, for example, the qualification of sosionomi (AMK) (Bachelor of Social Services). Qualifications at a university of applied sciences with the qualification titles geronomi (AMK) (Professional of Applied Gerontology) or kuntoutuksen ohjaaja (AMK) (Rehabilitaiton Counsellor) may also be applicable, depending on the job duties in question. 

In addition to having an applicable higher education degree or qualification, the person must have acceptably completed basic and subject studies and practical training in social work to be eligible. The required study modules may be completed as Open University courses or as a secondary subject module included in a university degree or qualification. The learning outcomes of basic and subject studies in social work are essentially the same at all universities, and thus students who acceptably complete basic and subject studies in social work acquire basically the same competence regardless of where they studied. 

A person applying for temporary employment in social services can demonstrate their applicable degree with a degree certificate. The person must also present documentation showing that they have completed basic and subject studies and the related practical training.

3. Appropriate degree, basic and subject studies, and sufficient practical experience and professional skills

A person who has completed an applicable university degree in social sciences or an applicable qualification in health care and social welfare at a university of applied sciences and also has sufficient practical experience and professional competence may likewise be employed to perform the duties of a social worker on a temporary basis for no more than one year.

With a few exceptions, completing the required practical training is only possible for students studying for a qualification in social work; because of this, sufficient practical experience and professional competence may compensate for formal practical training. 

A person applying for temporary employment in social services can demonstrate their applicable degree with a degree certificate. The person must also present documentation showing that they have completed the required basic and subject studies. The employer must separately evaluate whether the person has sufficient experience and professional competence to perform the job duties that would be assigned to them.

Temporary employment as a ‘sosionomi’ (Social Service Professional), ‘geronomi’ (Professional of Applied Gerontology) or 'kuntoutuksen ohjaaja' (Rehabilitation Councellor)

By law, a person who is studying for the profession of ‘sosionomi’, ‘geronomi’ or 'kuntoutuksen ohjaaja' 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.