School health care

 School health care in Finland ensures an unbroken continuity of health promotion after services provided by maternity and child health clinics.

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health provides overall guidance and prepares legislation associated with health and wellbeing of schoolaged children.

School health care is part of school welfare services, which also include the services of school social workers and psychologists. These are free of charge and they are provided for all primary school pupils.

School health care

• safeguards and improves  the health and safety of the school environment and wellbeing of the school community;
• monitors and promotes the growth, health and wellbeing of each pupil in all grades;
• supports the pedagogical work of parents and guardians;
• provides oral health care;
• identifies pupils’ support  and health examination needs, supports children and refers to further examinations and treatment if necessary;
• supports the care of children with chronic illnesses ;
• provides examinations to establish the state of learners’ health

Provisions on services are laid down by law

School health care is a part of overall care provisions for youth, embracing their learning and physical, psychological and social wellbeing. Together with the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, the Ministry of Education and Culture deals with pupil and student welfare, and both are responsible for the legislation in this field.

The 2010 Health Care Act includes provisions on school health care.

• Health Care Act (Finlex)

A government decree of 2011 deals with services of maternity and child health clinics, school and student health services and preventive oral health services for children and youth.

• Goverment Decree on maternity and child health clinic services, school and student health services and preventive oral health services for children and youth (Finlex)

Wellbeing services counties organise school health services

School health care is organised by the wellbeing services counties in which the schools are located.

The wellbeing services counties provide school health care according to their action plans. School health care is monitored by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).