The Public Professional Status of Social Work in Finland

The Public Professional Status of Social Work in

FinlandMoney or Therapy?

Vinski Veijolavinskiv@gmail.com

The University of Jyväskylä07.09.2011

Thoughts on the PPS

Structure

1. The Research question2. Hypothesis3. The Goals for the Research4. Methods5. Data Analysis6. Conclusions7. Discussion8. Insight on the Course

The Research Question ”How does the general population of

Finland view Social Work as a profession and is it still affiliated with money distribution?”

If people link social work to just giving out money to the underprivileged – something should be done about this misconception.

Hypothesis Social work is still strongly linked with

money distribution, and its other more important purposes are unknown to the public.

By publicly moving income support to KELA, this misconception could start to change.

Increased appreciation of social work would boost the morale of social workers and dissipate the clienteles stigma.

The Goals for the Research Proving that there is a misconcpetion

in the purpose of social work. Analysing means to change this

misconception. By increasing the awerness of social

works more important social purposes – the appreciation of the profession could be set to a more esteemed level.

Data Gathering Method F2F survey to people over 18 years

old Random sample of the population Aiming for 20-30 participants Five question questionnaire with pre-

stated answer options and a “something else. What?” –option

Questionnaire http://veijolavinski1.wordpress.com/paper/

Data Analysis Purpose of data gathering is to prove

the existence of a misconception. If question 3 proves to have clearly

different answers than 1 and 2 – it tells of a possibility of changing the assumed misconception.

Results & Conclusions

Results & Conclusions

Results & Conclusions It would seem that people are open

to new information regarding topics that they have formed an opinion on before.

The publics understanding is the foundation of a solid public professional status.

Sources Lehto, M et.al.:

Toimeentulotukikokeilu 1995-1997 loppuraportti (1997)

Karvinen-Niinikoski, S et.al.: Konstikas sosiaalityö: Suomalaisen sosiaalityöntodellisuus ja tulevaisuudennäkymät (2005).

• Other releases from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, The Green Party and KELA.

Thank You for your time! Questions?

Contact Information:vinskiv@gmail.com 0505569791http://veijolavinski1.wordpress.com/

Insight on the Course Seems like a LOT of work, when it

actually is not. The Finnish mentality on homework

and asking for outside help. Use all the help you can get (Marlen,

Me, Tanja and do not forget about your peers).

Do your homework! Hell hath no fury like Marlen disappointed.