Presentation of Erho unit

”If this is not a place where my questions can be asked, where do I go to seek?
If this is not a place where my feelings can be heard, where do I go to speak?
If this is not a place where you’ll accept me as I am, where can I go to be?
If this is not a place where I can try to learn and grow, where can I be just me? ”

-William J. Crockett-

Unit for children and young people aged 0–18 with special care and education needs.

Respecting childhood

At the heart of what we do is that we primarily treat the child, not the illness or disability.

The guiding values are: proximity, interaction, individuality, contact and taking our time. When we interact, we stop to listen to the child, taking time just for him or her.

Erho’s activities

Activities are designed with pedagogical, therapeutic and rehabilitation challenges in mind. Activities are planned, implemented and evaluated in accordance with the early childhood education and care criteria.

Erho is also responsible for demanding treatment and care in acute situations. Flexible care arrangements, in the unit or as home care, are organised in cooperation and in consultation with families.

Supporting parenting

Service guidance and support for families in challenging situations are the basic ideas behind the activities. Working together with families enables peer-to-peer activities, also taking into account the peer support of siblings and grandparents.

The parents' group, organised in cooperation with MLL, provides an opportunity for discussion with other parents.

"An open and close educational partnership with parents creates a basis for working together."

Support for children's development and learning is based on the child's individual needs and on community- and learning environment-based solutions. Encouraging and enabling children to experience success supports the development of a positive self-image.

Pre-primary and primary education are tailored to each pupil's individual skills. Teaching is mainly through sensory experiences and is organised by activity area.

Teaching and school-related matters are the responsibility of the special needs teacher at Puistokoulu school.

Cooperation

The Erho unit cooperates with many different actors: primary education, local daycare centres, family work, disability services, TAYS, medical rehabilitation and transport services.

The staff

Erho staff work wholeheartedly.  The care and education team consists of an early childhood education teacher, a special needs early childhood education teacher, early childhood education workers, a special needs teacher at Puistokoulu and the head of the unit.