Hardschool

Hardschool is a Finnish training provider that helps child welfare professionals and organizations strengthen their skills in working with young people who use substances. Its courses are designed to support practical, consistent work and prepare staff to use the workbook Nuoren päihdetyökirja lastensuojeluun (A Substance Use Workbook for Child Welfare).

Organizations can choose from three training levels. Perusteet provides comprehensive online learning to establish a shared foundation of knowledge across a workforce. Soveltava combines online training with a manager’s toolkit and facilitated remote workshops, helping teams develop and apply consistent practices. Kehittävä brings together online learning, workshops and in-person intensive sessions to support deeper professional reflection and lasting changes in workplace culture.

Course topics include understanding experimentation, harmful use and dependence; recognizing stages of change; harm-reduction approaches; exploring a young person’s life story and circumstances; working with parents; and supporting motivation, coping with cravings, self-care and personal strengths. Hardschool offers training for child welfare teams and organizations seeking to build practical expertise and improve their approach to substance-related work with young people.