Advice and guidance

Immigrants Information, advice and guidance services

TNO services refer to services for the initial phase of immigrants' integration that municipalities are obliged to arrange. They are based directly on the Integration Act: https://www.finlex.fi/fi/lainsaadanto/2023/681  

The services include advice from an integration counselor on housing and everyday life issues, and guidance or support in accessing various services. These may include questions related to rental agreements, banking or social services, starting a child's school or daycare, or even considering one's own future plans, where the integrated person needs the support of an integration counselor.

The integration counselor can be met by appointment. When making an appointment, it is a good idea to let us know if you need interpretation for your transactions. Immigrants can also contact the counselor with any questions by email or WhatsApp message without an appointment. Integration service contact information: https://ikaalinen.fi/tyo-ja-yrittaminen/tyollisyys-ja-kotouttamispalvelut/kotouttaminen/vastaanottotoiminta/

Service point

The Ikaalinen Customer Service Point serves immigrant customers as well as other residents of the municipality, offering help and advice on applying for Kela benefits, among other things. You can also book an appointment with an integration counselor at the customer service point. Contact information for the customer service point: https://ikaalinen.fi/tyo-ja-yrittaminen/tyollisyys-ja-kotouttamispalvelut/organisaation-hallinto/

Employment services

Initial integration services for immigrants in Ikaalinen are provided in cooperation with Sastamala employment services. Initial services include, among other things, an integration plan, according to which the integrated client is directed to the most suitable services for them that promote employment or prepare them for studies. The focus is on studying Finnish in order to enter working life or suitable education. Contact information for Ikaalinen employment services: https://ikaalinen.fi/tyo-ja-yrittaminen/tyollisyys-ja-kotouttamispalvelut/tyollistamisen-palvelut/

To access services, an integrated person must start a job search according to normal practice, either through the Job Market https://tyomarkkinatori.fi/henkiloasiakkaat/tietoa-tyoelamasta/tyonhaku/ilmoittautuminen-tyonhakijaksi or on a paper form at a Service Point.

Integration training

Unemployed adult early-stage integrationists are directed to integration training, where the integrated person studies the Finnish language and working life skills, and becomes familiar with the structures of society. In 2025, the community college and employment and integration services will operate their own integration training in Ikaalisi, which will be organized due to the temporary increased need resulting from the war in Ukraine. Integration training will be implemented in the Pirkanmaa region on a needs-based basis as face-to-face teaching in units of various educational institutions and as distance learning online.

Integration of families

When an immigrant family settles in Ikaalinen, the first questions often arise as to when the child can start studying at a local school or go to daycare during the parents' working day. Integration counselors help with registration and, if necessary, guide them through new practices, such as using the Wilma and Päikky applications. You can learn more about Ikaalinen's schools and early childhood education here:

https://ikaalinen.fi/kasvatus-ja-koulutus/varhaiskasvatus/

https://ikaalinen.fi/kasvatus-ja-koulutus/esiopetus/

https://ikaalinen.fi/kasvatus-ja-koulutus/peruskoulu/

Integration services work in cooperation with schools and daycare centers. The integration counselor's resources are utilized in the city center schools to help with the challenges of integrated students on a daily basis, and he or she also supports families in resolving various cultural challenges. School and daycare staff are offered additional training in how to meet immigrants in everyday life.

Contact information: 

Office: Vanha Tampereentie 11, 39500 Ikaalinen.

Visits by appointment; kotoutumispalvelut@ikaalinen.fi

Hanna Vilppo hanna.vilppo@ikaalinen.fi 044 730 6216  

Anastasia Raudive
anastasia.raudive@ikaalinen.fi
tel. +044 7306 264