It’s About Relations: Goals and Limitations of School-Based Youth Work in Finland

In recent years, there have been increasing public investments in school-based youth work in Finland. Therefore, in this article, we examine the evolution and the current goals and methods of school-based youth work in Finland using two datasets: 27 thematic interviews conducted in 2013–2014 and two quantitative surveys from 2021 and 2023. The interviews, featuring youth workers, teachers and principals, focused on the history, motivations, successes, challenges and structural factors of school-based youth work, and youth workers’ and teachers’ motivations for collaboration. The survey questionnaires, whose respondents were youth work managers from Finnish municipalities, explored this work’s organisation, financing, goals and methods. The key findings reveal that the initial expectations of youth workers and managers, teachers and principals for school-based youth work centre on improving the group dynamics of young people, providing accessible adult support in schools and fostering youth-centred approaches. These expectations align with the understanding of school well-being as being closely connected to positive peer relationships. Youth workers are valued for their skills in building up group dynamics and creating activities that enhance social cohesion. The most important current goals are strengthening peer and group relations, preventing bullying and increasing school satisfaction. The primary methods for attaining these goals include guiding group formation, conducting recess activities and engaging in multiprofessional cooperation. The study highlights the fact that while youth work effectively supports socialisation and group dynamics, it neither challenges the educational status quo nor emphasises formal learning outcomes.