Read these instructions if
1) you have received a decision on the recognition of the professional qualifications as a school social worker acquired in another EU or EEA country
2) the decision states that you have to complete an adaptation period or aptitude test in Finland
Woman reading a book in front of bookshelves.
Photo: Pauline Andan / Unsplash

You can usually decide whether to complete the adaptation period or the aptitude test. If the adaptation period or the aptitude test is the only option or if you have to complete them both, this is stated in the decision.

Complete the adaptation period by working in your profession in Finland. The decision determines the position in which you have to complete the adaptation period and how long the period will be. You must find a workplace where you can complete the adaptation period yourself.

Request a certificate of completion of the adaptation period. The certificate must indicate

  • the content of the position 
    • the job title in Finnish or Swedish and a description of the work tasks 
  • the average number of weekly working hours
  • the details of the employer
  • the start and end dates of the adaptation period
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The objective of the aptitude test is to evaluate your ability to practice the profession. The aptitude test for school social workers consists of three subject areas. The Finnish National Agency for Education's decision determines which of the three subject areas you have to complete in the aptitude test.

The aptitude test is arranged by a unit responsible for the degree programme in social services at a university of applied sciences

How do I complete the aptitude test?

If you want to complete the aptitude test, contact the unit responsible for the degree programme in social services at a university of applied sciences (later referred to as the university of applied sciences) in order to sign up for the test and agree with the university of applied sciences on the timetable and the details of the test. The university of applied sciences may charge a fee for arranging the test.

The aptitude test consists of 1–3 subject areas and a feedback session at the end of the test.

The method of completing the subject areas is an essay or some other method of completion determined by the higher education institution. Agree on the method of completion, the details of the assignments and the use of the source material with the university of applied sciences. In addition to the agreed source material, use your education and personal experiences.

The subject areas of the aptitude test

Subject area 1: School social worker’s expertise and developing it

In the aptitude test, you will demonstrate that you are familiar with the main theoretical basis of school social worker’s work, the ethical basis of your profession and the underlying values of the Finnish pupil and student welfare system. In the aptitude test, you will also demonstrate your capacity to develop your expertise and work as a school social worker.

Subject area 2: The principles of the Finnish pupil and student welfare system and the service system of social services

In the aptitude test, you will demonstrate that you know the Finnish pupil and student welfare system and its objectives, the service system of social services, and the key provisions and regulations from the point of view of child welfare and the profession of school social worker.

Subject area 3: Forms and methods of working with clients and cooperation parties in pupil and student welfare

In the aptitude test, you will demonstrate that you know the forms of work and working methods of a school social worker in work with clients and how pupil and student welfare is implemented in multidisciplinary systematic cooperation by education services and health and social services with students, guardians and families and, if necessary, with other cooperation parties.

The feedback session at the end of the aptitude test

The aptitude test ends with a feedback session that is arranged when all parts of the aptitude test have been successfully completed.

In the feedback session, you will receive oral feedback on the subject areas that you completed in the aptitude test. The following general questions can be used in the feedback session to review your professional development:

• Your own career development in the position of school social worker
-    Where have you studied and when?
-    Where have you worked as a school social worker and when?
-    How do you think the different work tasks have contributed to your development over the years?

• Self-evaluation of your own competences
-    How would you evaluate your own activities as a school social worker and colleague in a work community (strengths and weaknesses)?
-    How could you further develop your activities as a school social worker?
-    How do you manage stress and take care of your own well-being and development?

• Describing your own professional view
-    What are the central principles / values in your work?
-    What kind of operating principle is your work based on?
-    How has your operating principle changed during the aptitude test when you have been familiarising yourself with the source material?

• Discussing your own learning
-    What were the most important things, experiences, situations, events or issues to you during the aptitude test?
-    What issues do you think you need to learn more/obtain more education about?

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