Pupil welfare in basic education

Pupil welfare supports the well-being of the entire school community and promotes cooperation between home and school.

Lääkäri katsoo korvatutkimuslaitteen läpi.

Pupil welfare supports the well-being of the entire school community and promotes cooperation between home and school. School well-being is affected by the school environment’s safety and health, and by adequate support for learning and school attendance. Pupil welfare work consists of, among other things, encounters with pupils, encouragement, help, and strengthening pupil involvement.

Communal pupil welfare work

Communal pupil welfare means an operational culture that promotes learning, well-being, health, social responsibility, and interaction and involvement for pupils, as well as the safety, health, and accessibility of the school environment. At school, the communal pupil welfare group plans, coordinates, and develops the school’s operational culture and well-being while taking into consideration the needs of the pupils and the staff.

The welfare annual activity plan guides the schools’ communal welfare as a whole on a yearly basis. Monthly themes improve skills related to pupils’ mental welfare, social interaction, and life management. 

A key part of mental welfare comprises facing and accepting one’s feelings. Emotional skills control behaviour and instances of interaction. Pupils’ welfare and a safe atmosphere in the classroom also have a central role in learning and memory. During the school year, schools offer regular instruction in the study of emotional and interpersonal skills. 

School’s collective welfare group

At school, the collective welfare group (CWG) coordinates, develops, and evaluates the school’s pupil welfare work. The school’s head teacher leads the welfare work. The CWG consists of the head teacher, special needs teacher, guidance counsellor (grades7–9), school psychologist, school social worker, and school nurse. When agreed, pupils, guardians, and other cooperative parties may also take part in the CWG’s work.

Individual pupil welfare services

The goal of individual student care is to monitor and promote the well-being and overall growth, development and health of the student together with the student's guardians. Guardians have access to the services of a school social worker, psychologist and counseling nurse in child matters. If necessary, a multidisciplinary expert group may be convened with the permission of the guardians to improve the pupil's situation.