Finnish schools are hiring school coaches
In Finland, more support personnel are now being hired in schools with the primary task of reducing absences and absence related problems. Finnish schools are hiring school coaches who help students to come to school and succeed there.
For example, in Vantaa, one of Finland’s largest cities, 11 new school coaches have been hired for the upcoming academic year. The coaches aim to support students’well-being, participation, motivation, enjoyment, sense of security, and engagement to school.
“As the job title suggests, the goal is to coach the student in their school attendance and support them in it. The work involves supporting the student in cooperation with teachers, parents, and other actors,” says Liisa Taini, a school coach working in rural town of Lapua.
All kinds of children need help; challenges can be academic, psychological, or behavioral. Sometimes a few days of coaching is enough, while other coaching relationships can last for years. Working with a school coach, a student can, for example, look for routines, improve behavior, and develop their social skills.
The role of a coach varies between Finnish municipalities, schools, and according to the student’s needs. The backgrounds of school coaches vary, ranging from youth work to social work education. Taini, for example, is a psychiatric nurse by training.
What do you think about school coaches? How are you tackling absences in your school community? We believe promoting student well-being is the key to success in education and would love to hear what kind of actions are taken towards it!
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