Pori appeals to Satakunta welfare region to retain family support worker positions in schools

The city of Pori is making an appeal to the Satakunta welfare region to retain the positions of family support workers in schools. The welfare region recently decided to discontinue this service, which Pori’s social services initiated in 2018. These family support workers have been active in eight schools across Pori, assisting in the prevention and resolution of children’s issues. The schools involved include Cygnaeus, Kaarisilta, Käppärä, Lavia, Meri-Pori, Pohjoisväylä, Väinölä, and Noormarkku’s unified school. Neighboring municipalities, like Ulvila and Merikarvia, also employ family support workers of their own.

The decision to cut the service is attributed to a significant budget deficit faced by the welfare region, leading to the elimination of non-mandatory services for financial reasons. The Ministry of Finance has also placed the Satakunta welfare region under scrutiny due to the slow pace of cost-saving measures.

Taneli Tiirikainen, the head of Pori’s education unit, argues that discontinuing preventive services like family support workers will not yield the anticipated savings. He emphasizes that addressing issues at an early stage is crucial, as unresolved problems can escalate and lead to higher costs later on.

Tiirikainen points out that family support services are easily accessible and closely integrated with children and families, noting that feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. There has also been a reduction in child welfare cases attributed to these family support efforts. In response, the education authority has submitted a petition to the education board, which will discuss the matter in an upcoming meeting.