Social work professorship for the Päijät-Häme welfare region – social workers in short supply

Group home Bedding on the bed in Siltala's apartment. — Several social worker posts remain unfilled in Päijät-Häme. The situation is also complicated by the turnover of social workers.

The Professor of Working Life in Social Work works half of her working hours in the Päijät-Häme welfare area and half at the University of Helsinki.

The Päijät-Häme Welfare Region is to have a professor of social work. The temporary professor of working life in social work will start work at the beginning of March next year.

The University of Helsinki invites a person with a doctorate in political science from Päijät-Häme to apply for the position. The Professor of Working Life would work half of her/his working time in Päijät-Häme and half at the University of Helsinki.

The annual salary costs of the post are EUR 110 000, half of which, or EUR 55 000, comes from the Päijät-Häme welfare region. The City of Lahti has also committed €20 000 per year as a contributor.

With the dual role of social work working life professor, cooperation related to teaching and research is also intensified.

According to THL, the shortage of social workers has worsened in recent years. Several positions are unfilled in Päijät-Hämee as well. Another difficulty is the turnover of social workers, while social problems and the need for social work have grown.

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