Working as Special school attendance counsellor

Through Seure, you can work as a special school attendance counsellor in autism and disability education in the public elementary schools in the capital region.

The naming of the positions differs in different cities. In Helsinki and Espoo, you can work with a title of erityiskoulunkäynninohjaaja. In Vantaa, you can work with a title of oppilashoitaja. The work position is the same, although the job title is different.

You can also work with students with autism or disabilities with the title school attendance councellor, koulunkäynninohjaaja.

Work in autism and disability education include assisting in groups of autistic and mildly or severely intellectually disabled students during the school day and in morning and afternoon activities. The work is done together with the special education teacher and possibly other attendance counsellors working in the class.

The class group size is a maximum of eight students and there are many assistants in the class. The special school attendance counsellor helps and supports the student in tasks that they cannot do on their own due to their developmental stage or disability.

Duties in the work may include supervising students’ taxi rides, assisting with dressing and eating, or treatment procedures, such as rehabilitating the student according to physiotherapist or speech therapist’s instructions. Pictures and signs are often used to support communication. Fluent cooperation skills, a positive life attitude and good physical condition are advantages at work.

A special school attendance counsellor’s work may also include medical procedures, such as diabetes treatment or catheterization. Education in the healthcare field is required for these positions. The required skills in specific positions are told in our job advertisements.

Special school attendance counsellor’s salary

Our job advertisements indicate the exact salary or wages with possible bonuses. In gig work (on-demand work), wages are paid twice a month. For gig work, holiday bonus is also paid with the wages. Read more about the wages in Seure.

Suitable background, required permits and certificates

  • A degree in health care or previous experience working with children or young people with developmental disabilities.
  • Qualification and employment certificates
  • Criminal records extract