This study investigates experiences of early support and family work offered via child
health centres from the perspectives of parents and professionals. This model of family
work was part of a national development project in social and health services in Finland designed to support the well-being of Finnish families with children and further
develop family services. The overall purpose of this qualitative study was to describe
and analyze parents' and family professionals' experiences of this new approach to
family support and working in the project. Besides describing and analyzing these experiences, the aim of the study was to identify what kinds of controversies, or tensions,
and cultural expectations are linked to this work that takes place in between the private and public spheres. In the summary, I discuss how the private and public spheres
meet in family work, and how criticisms of family work and the support received are
linked to each other in practice. A fur
ther purpose was to study the possibilities for
family work afforded via the guidance work done by child health clinics. The benefits
and challenges of new projects of this kind in social and health care are also discussed.
Three datasets were gathered; semi-structured interviews from parents (n=9) and family professionals (n=8), and diary data from family professionals (n=8) working in the
family work development project. The diaries were used as secondary data. The data
analysis included both narrative analysis (interviews with parents and diary data) and
content analysis (interviews with professionals). The study found that support, especially the use of home visits, was valued by parents, and that, after trust had been established, both family workers and parents reported benefiting from the process. Parents respected the professionals’ expertise, time and family-centred working but would
have wanted concrete help with house work and child care. The professionals reported
that family-centred home visiting was a useful method and benefited both the child
and the work of the maternity clinic. The process was helped by having clients in
common and shared information and understanding about working with each family.
On the other hand, lack of resources and the ongoing changes in the work culture in
health and social services presented challenges. The results underline the importance
of early support and home visiting. The study produces new information and extends
earlier knowledge on parenting support and the importance of early support, as well
as on professionals working with families and working collaboratively. The results can
be utilized in developing similar projects and models of early support, and in promoting the working culture of professionals, especially inter-professional collaboration
between the domains of social and health care.
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