Student welfare services

School welfare services have been transferred to the wellbeing services county as of January 1, 2023. The wellbeing services county, OmaHäme, collaborates with the education provider, and there will be no changes to the services. Students can still visit their local school for student and educational welfare services such as health care, counseling, and psychologist services as before.

In schools, student welfare is implemented both communally and individually. Communal student welfare includes, for example, measures to prevent bullying. Individual student welfare includes, for instance, appointments with the school nurse and social worker. Student welfare is provided with the consent of the student or guardians, and their wishes are taken into account. Various experts can be invited to participate in the planning and implementation of support measures. A support group may include the student and their guardians, as well as a counselor, teacher, psychologist, and/or youth worker.

School psychologist

The school psychologist serves students aged 6–13 in pre-primary and primary schools. The school psychologist works as part of a multidisciplinary student welfare team, promoting students’ well-being and providing support for school attendance and psychological growth. The school psychologist offers consultations for teaching staff and collaborates with different experts. The school psychologist visits Tervakoski and Turenki schools weekly, as well as other schools and pre-primary units at agreed times. Individual appointments can be arranged through the student welfare group or by directly contacting the school psychologist by phone or via Wilma. The appointments generally take place at the main location of the family center at the Turenki health center or, if necessary, at school. The services of the school psychologist are intended for primary school and preschool students during their transition to school.

You can contact the school psychologist if the child has:

problems related to school attendance and learning
difficulties with concentration and self-regulation
symptoms related to behavior and emotional well-being

School social workers work with students at all educational levels and their families. School social workers support students’ mental and social well-being and prevent problems related to school attendance. School social workers mainly work in pre-primary units and schools.

A student can seek the social worker’s services themselves or be referred by teachers, guardians, friends, school health services, or external parties (specialized medical care, family counseling, youth services, social work).

You can contact the school social worker when concerns arise about the following issues:

behavior (absences, concentration and motivation issues, defiance)
social relationships (e.g., bullying, friendships and dating relationships)
family problems (e.g., separations, custody issues, parenting issues, domestic violence, illness of a family member, financial concerns, substance abuse)
emotional life and mental health (e.g., anxiety, fears, nervousness, shyness, sadness)

School social workers are involved in creating well-being, safety, and a positive study environment in schools and pre-primary units. Social workers provide consultation to teaching staff and collaborate with different specialists.

School health services

School health services are intended for children of comprehensive school age. Young people studying in upper secondary school and vocational education institutions fall under student health care.

All medical care for comprehensive school-aged children is provided at health centers.

At all schools and educational institutions, school nurses aim to assist in urgent medical situations and accidents while on site. Emergency services operate primarily at the closest health center or at the joint emergency department of the Kanta-Häme Central Hospital. In urgent situations, call 116117 and in emergencies 112.

When to see a school nurse?

When you want to discuss…

growth and puberty
nutrition and eating issues
rest, sleep, and exercise issues
repeated school absences
the student’s substance use
issues related to dating and sexuality or if you need contraception advice. NOTE! All students in Janakkala under 25 years old are entitled to free contraception.

or…

when you need help coordinating a chronic illness with school attendance/studies
when you are concerned about wellbeing
when you need advice on using health services

When to go to the health center or your doctor?

in cases of leisure accidents
in medical matters (e.g., ear and eye infections),
in the medication and follow-up of chronic diseases (e.g., asthma)

In student health services (high school/vocational school), health care services are also provided for students, but this does not apply to primary school-aged children.