Enhanced Family Work in Child Protection in Finland: impacts on family well-being
Kanigan, Barbara (2026)
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2026050710022
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2026050710022
Tiivistelmä
ABSTRACT
Barbara Kanigan
Enhanced Family Work in Child Protection in Finland: Impacts on Family Well-being
Pages 41
Spring, 2026
Diaconia University of Applied Sciences
Bachelor of Social Services
The purpose of this thesis was to examine the effects of enhanced family work in child protection on the overall well-being of families. Enhanced family work is an open care support measure aimed at preventing the need for more intensive interventions. Overall well-being was approached through four dimensions: physical, psychological, social, and economic well-being. The findings were also viewed through Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory.
The study was conducted as a literature review. Following a comprehensive search process, four studies were selected for the analysis based on their relevance to the research question. Due to the limited availability of research on enhanced family work in the Finnish child protection context, particularly peer-reviewed studies, one bachelor’s thesis focusing on parents’ experiences of enhanced family work was also included, as it provided valuable insights for answering the research question. The studies were first screened for relevance to the research question, and then analysed using a thematic approach to identify key findings on the impacts of enhanced family work on family well-being. The findings were organised according to the four dimensions of family well-being.
Overall, the findings suggest that enhanced family work can support families in a comprehensive and meaningful way by helping them manage everyday life, strengthening relationships, improving access to services, and providing support based on listening, presence, and easy accessibility.
In conclusion, enhanced family work in child protection provides meaningful, flexible, and family-centred support to families and plays an important role in promoting their overall well-being and preventing the need for more intensive child protection interventions.
Keywords: enhanced family work, child protection, family well-being
Barbara Kanigan
Enhanced Family Work in Child Protection in Finland: Impacts on Family Well-being
Pages 41
Spring, 2026
Diaconia University of Applied Sciences
Bachelor of Social Services
The purpose of this thesis was to examine the effects of enhanced family work in child protection on the overall well-being of families. Enhanced family work is an open care support measure aimed at preventing the need for more intensive interventions. Overall well-being was approached through four dimensions: physical, psychological, social, and economic well-being. The findings were also viewed through Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory.
The study was conducted as a literature review. Following a comprehensive search process, four studies were selected for the analysis based on their relevance to the research question. Due to the limited availability of research on enhanced family work in the Finnish child protection context, particularly peer-reviewed studies, one bachelor’s thesis focusing on parents’ experiences of enhanced family work was also included, as it provided valuable insights for answering the research question. The studies were first screened for relevance to the research question, and then analysed using a thematic approach to identify key findings on the impacts of enhanced family work on family well-being. The findings were organised according to the four dimensions of family well-being.
Overall, the findings suggest that enhanced family work can support families in a comprehensive and meaningful way by helping them manage everyday life, strengthening relationships, improving access to services, and providing support based on listening, presence, and easy accessibility.
In conclusion, enhanced family work in child protection provides meaningful, flexible, and family-centred support to families and plays an important role in promoting their overall well-being and preventing the need for more intensive child protection interventions.
Keywords: enhanced family work, child protection, family well-being