The aim of Early Interventions is to increase the mental and social wellbeing of children, young people and families with children. We work to 

• ensure that decision-making related to the wellbeing of children and young people is based on research data 
• ensure that the services for children, young people and families with children use methods that have research evidence of their effectiveness.   

Nordic cooperation 

Early Interventions is part of the NordicDataPrev network, established in 2014 together with other Nordic operators. In addition to Early Intervention, the network includes Ungsinn from Norway, Metodguiden from Sweden and Vidensportalen from Denmark. The aim of the network is to evaluate psychosocial methods and collect research information for the use of child and family services in the Nordic countries. In addition, the aim is to improve the flow of information for professionals and decision-makers.

The operations of the Early Interventions are based on intervention and implementation skills 

Early Interventions has an evaluation editorial team, which publishes method assessments of early-stage psychosocial methods aimed at children, young people and families with children. The methods to be assessed must promote the mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of children or young people, or prevent and treat mental health problems, either directly or indirectly. The methods are systematically evaluated according to the Early Interventions evaluation system.  

The method assessments are published as systematic reviews on the Kasvuntuki.fi page and in the Early Interventions magazine. The aim of the method assessments is to support the work of professionals and to increase research-based decision-making in child and family services. 

The benefits of a method proven to be effective on the basis of evidence may not be achieved without a systematic and research-based implementation. Implementation refers to the process of adopting a method and establishing it as part of the organisation’s operations. High-quality implementation prevents the altering of the method during the implementation process, which means that the effectiveness of the method is preserved, the method benefits its target group, and the investments made in the method are profitable. Early Interventions provides research-based data and tools for implementing, establishing and monitoring methods.

Read more about implementation and the project for national implementation competence to support the growth of children and young people (Early Interventions KI), which aims to increase implementation competence. 

Project for national implementation competence to support the growth of children and young people 

The Early Interventions KI project continues and complements the assessment of psychosocial methods that has been carried out in Itla’s Early Interventions work for years, as well as implementation support for effective evidence-based methods.   

The project promotes equal access to effective mental health services for children and young people, regardless of region. By increasing cooperation between different professional groups, we aim to improve basic services and ensure equal access to effective mental health services for children and young people in the services of wellbeing services counties and in connection with the municipal educational administration. 

The project also models operating models for psychosocial support for both schools and families with serious illnesses.  

The project is being funded by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. 

Learn more about the project for national implementation competence to support the growth of children and young people (Early Interventions KI). 

Training and influencing work accelerates the implementation of evidence-based methods in services for children and young people 

The training and influencing work of Early Interventions aims to disseminate information on effectiveness research, as well as on the evaluation, implementation and establishment of methods in the social and health care service system. We organise both recurring and one-time training. 

Recurring training for Early Interventions: 

• Evaluator training. The training is carried out by the evaluation editorial team of Early Interventions. 
• “Effective methods and operating models in research-based decision-making” course. The course is carried out by the University of Helsinki’s Master’s Programme in Social and Health Research and Management.  
• “Supporting children and young people who react through their behaviour during early childhood education and basic education” – online course. The course teaches effective methods based on research to guide and support the positive behaviour of the group and the individual. The course is intended as further training for early childhood education and basic education professionals. 
• “Evidence-based methods as part of leadership” – online course (to be published in February 2024). The course teaches how leadership in children’s and young people’s services can accelerate the implementation of psychosocial methods and achieve the desired result. The target group of the course is professionals working in managerial and development positions in social and health care, and other professionals interested in implementation. 

Projects we are involved in: 

• Taitava (Skillful) research project. Early Intervention is a partner in the University of Helsinki’s project, which, among other things, coaches child protection leadership and supervisors in implementation. 

Further information 

Please contact us about any questions regarding Early Interventions.