Interprofessional service network practices in the family centre context

Responding to the multiple needs of families requires the involvement of a large service network. This study aims to advance understanding of how Finnish family centre professionals construct service network practices and cross service boundaries. The data collection method was focus group (FG) interviews. The five FGs consisted of 25 individuals who worked as professionals, staff members, or managers in different networks in meeting places at family centre services. The thematic analysis revealed three main themes that indicated the professionals’ willingness to work towards a common goal, build participation through shared knowledge, and work with different communities. The analysis brought to light the two-level nature of the development of service network practices. This two-level nature means, on one level, that professionals need to strengthen their skills in their cooperation practices, and on another level, that they need to strengthen families in their own communities. Development measures are needed – first, to improve the cooperation of the service network of child and family services and, second, to strengthen the local ecosystem of help and support based on citizen participation.