A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Measuring the scope of social workers’ assessments in Finnish child welfare using principal component analysis
Authors: Jaakola, Anne-Mari; Vornanen, Riitta
Publisher: Bristol University Press and Policy Press
Publication year: 2025
Journal: European social work research
Volume: 3
Issue: 3
eISSN: 2755-1768
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1332/27551768Y2025D000000057
Publication's open availability at the time of reporting: No Open Access
Publication channel's open availability : No Open Access publication channel
Web address : https://bristoluniversitypressdigital.com/view/journals/eswr/3/3/article-p253.xml
During an assessment, social workers are required to consider several factors in a child’s situation. In particular, they need to identify different aspects of the child’s welfare, special needs and risks and the child’s best interests. However, this broad focus can create challenges for social workers in how to prioritise and balance the content of their assessments. In Finland, there is no common framework for assessments, and little information is available about the scope of assessments. In this study, we therefore examined the scope of assessments and the factors that Finnish social workers consider in their assessments. Empirically, we used survey data from social workers (N = 373) and quantitative methods, such as direct distributions, mean values and principal component analysis. According to our findings, the scope of assessments is broad, and social workers assess each child’s situation by weighing several factors. We divided the results into five child-related dimensions, four parent-related dimensions and three family environment dimensions, and there were variations in the weighting of these dimensions. This study provides knowledge on how to measure the scope of assessments as well as how this scope relates to the Nordic child welfare system.
Funding information in the publication:
This work was supported by the Finnish Ministry of Social Affairs and Health under Grant VN/25308/2020.