BLOG THEME 4: How to do adult social work in digital media environment? - Services for immigrants

 

Empowering Immigrants in Finland: Digital Solutions in Social Work

In Finland, digitalization has transformed social work services, making them more accessible to immigrants. By using technology, Finland has improved integration, communication, and support for newcomers. This blog explores how digital platforms and tools enhance immigrant services and the methods used in the digital social work environment.

Digital Services for Immigrants in Finland

1. Integration.fi Digital Platform

The Finnish Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment has developed Integration.fi, a multilingual online platform that provides essential resources for immigrants. This service includes:

• Information on integration and legal rights

• Guidance on language courses and employment opportunities

• Support for professionals assisting immigrants

This digital service ensures that immigrants have easy access to the information they need. Learn more.

2. Partnership Platform for Integration

Finland has launched a digital partnership platform to promote collaboration between organizations involved in immigrant integration. This initiative allows social workers, NGOs, and government agencies to share resources and improve services.

The platform enhances cooperation and helps immigrants navigate their new environment. Read about the initiative.

3. Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) Digital Transformation

Migri, Finland’s Immigration Service, has embraced digitalization with the Smart Digital Agency program, offering:

• Self-service portals for residency and nationality applications

• Online appointment booking and application tracking

• Virtual assistance through chatbots and AI tools

This transformation reduces paperwork and waiting times, making immigration services more efficient. More details here.

Client Work Methods in Digital Media Environments

Social workers in Finland use digital tools to assist immigrants in various ways:

• Video Conferencing for Counseling – Platforms like Zoom and Microsoft Teams enable remote therapy and support sessions.

• Mobile Applications – Apps provide legal aid, employment information, and language-learning resources.

• AI Chatbots & Virtual Assistants – Automated systems help immigrants with paperwork, housing applications, and asylum processes.

• Online Community Engagement – Facebook groups, Telegram channels, and WhatsApp communities create networks where immigrants can seek advice and share experiences.

Research and Theoretical Perspectives

Studies highlight both the advantages and challenges of digitalizing social work services:

1. Digital Exclusion in Welfare Services – This study explores how digitalization may create barriers for some immigrants and suggests strategies to ensure inclusivity. Read more.

Conclusion

Finland’s approach to digital social work for immigrants demonstrates how technology can enhance accessibility and efficiency. By integrating digital platforms, mobile applications, and AI-driven solutions, Finland continues to improve support for newcomers, making integration a smoother process.

Do you have experiences with Finland’s digital immigrant services? Share your thoughts in the comments! 🚀✨

References

Finnish Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment. (n.d.). Integration services for immigrants. Retrieved from https://kotoutuminen.fi/en/services

European Commission. (2023). Finland: New digital platform for integration and social inclusion launched. Retrieved from https://migrant-integration.ec.europa.eu/news/finland-new-digital-platform-integration-and-social-inclusion-launched_en

Finnish Immigration Service. (2016). Accenture to assist Finnish Immigration Service in delivering digital transformation program. Retrieved from https://newsroom.accenture.com/news/2016/accenture-to-assist-finnish-immigration-service-deliver-digital-transformation-program

Pirttiaho, S. (2022). Digital exclusion in Finnish welfare services: The case of immigrants. Theseus.fi. Retrieved from https://www.theseus.fi/bitstream/10024/798848/2/Pirttiaho_Suvi.pdf

SHS Conferences. (2024). Digital social work practices and the role of technology in social inclusion. SHS Web of Conferences, 150, 05005. Retrieved from https://www.shs-conferences.org/articles/shsconf/pdf/2024/04/shsconf_shw2023_05005.pdf