Social Counsellor

The unit is responsible for guiding and advising clients, authorities and our partners on social welfare services for all people of working age, people with disabilities and families with children. It is multidisciplinary and consists of professionals in adult social services, disability services, social services for children and young people, and child protection. Start date by agreement. The unit aims to provide our clients with easy access, a high-quality initial assessment and, where necessary, referral to our own services or those of our partners. We want to promote multidisciplinary work and create a unit capable of addressing our clients’ many questions and challenges at once. Our aim is to create a simple and clear service package for clients. The unit handles all contacts concerning social welfare services for people under 65 in LUVN, including calls, chats, child welfare notifications, and contacts and notifications under the Social Welfare Act. The unit is the starting point for client pathways and its work affects our entire service provision. The staff of the Social Welfare Guidance and Advice Unit consists of social counsellors, a lead social counsellor, two lead social workers and a service unit manager. Approximately 50 professionals work in the unit. We have extensive expertise and experience in guidance, advice and initial assessment work. As a social services counsellor, you will handle a range of contacts and notifications from clients and professionals. Client contacts take place mainly by telephone and through digital services. We are particularly looking for someone with expertise in adult social work who can also participate in walk-in activities, meaning the substitute rota for customer service provided in person in Espoo. Knowledge of other public social welfare services is also considered an advantage. You will be able to make independent decisions to advance client situations and will have the support of a multidisciplinary team. After the induction period, partial remote work is possible. Our office may also be suitable for someone who uses mobility aids, but access involves passing three thresholds approximately 5 cm high, three fairly heavy non-automatic doors, and taking a lift to the second floor. Further accessibility information is available on request. Eligibility requirement: Qualification in accordance with section 8 of the Act on Social Welfare Professionals (817/2015). The role requires good communication and collaboration skills, fluent Finnish, good documentation and IT skills, and the ability to work flexibly in a changing work environment. The work requires quick reactions, sound judgement and the ability to handle pressure, as client situations are varied and unpredictable. The role also emphasises independent decision-making, planning and organising one’s own work, and the ability to guide clients to appropriate services already during their first contact. Interviews will be held on Tuesday 27 October between 8:00 and 10:00 and Thursday 29 October between 8:00 and 11:00. Other times are generally not available. Those selected for the position may be randomly asked to provide a drug test certificate in accordance with the Länsi-Uusimaa wellbeing services county’s substance abuse programme. We value knowledge of the Social Welfare Act and the services covered by it. We also value experience in guidance and advice, processing contacts and notifications, and conducting initial assessments. Versatile language skills, especially English and Swedish, are an advantage. Workplace and address: Social Services Advice, workplace located in Espoo (Lintuvaarantie 2 b). Working hours: General working hours, 38 hours 15 minutes per week. The position is fixed-term, 5 November 2026–11 January 2029. We are agents of change. We boldly renew what needs improvement and preserve what works. We invest in the wellbeing of every employee and want to offer our staff a variety of benefits. We offer a lunch benefit and €300 per year to use as you wish for culture, wellbeing, sports or travel-ticket benefits. You can also develop your skills through Eduhouse and Oppiportti’s extensive online training courses.