1. Karin Blomgren Desk Officer Ministry of Health and Social Affairs
Division for Family and Social Services

2. Different levels of political governance; National, regional and local level

3. National level Regional level Local Authorities
Parliament and Government
Policy goals
Legislation, Supervision, Financial control measures
Regional level
County Councils
- Providing health and
medical care
Local Authorities
Municipalities
Social services, housing and
home-based elderly care
21 County Councils
290 Municipalities

4. Social Services Act Social services shall promote people’s
economic and social security
equality of living conditions and
active participation in the life of the community
Social Services shall be aimed at liberating and developing the innate resources of individuals and groups. It builds upon the respect of peoples self-determination.

5. The governmental agencies
The National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen) and The Health and Social Care Inspectorate (Inspektionen för vård och omsorg).
The National Board of Health and Welfare; produces for example guidelines and other knowledge support and compiles statistics and open comparisons.
The Health and Social Care Inspectorate; is responsible for supervising health care and social services.

6. Social child and youth care in Sweden

7. The responsibility of the municipalities
Investigate children's needs
Plan, decide, provide and finance care and service for children and families
Follow-up the care so the children's needs are well satisfied
Coordinate with healthcare and school so children's needs are satisfied from all perspectives

8. Laws to support and protect children
The Social Services Act
A framework law regulating several areas (elderly care, social assistance, efforts to addict and support to families, children and young persons)
The care of Young persons Act
Rules concerning compulsory care of children and young persons up to 21 years old. Can be suggested for children (under 18 years) for environmental circumstances or behavioural circumstances (up to 21 years).

9. Some statistics There are about 2 millions children in Sweden
About children are in care in families or institutions some time during a year
About needs-tested open services are given to children in need during one year (different programs, counseling, contact family, contact person)

10. An obligation to report to Social Services
Anyone who works with children and young people, including health and medical care staff and social services staff are required by the Swedish Social Services Act to report any suspected child abuse to the Social Services.
When the Social Services has observed that a child needs support or protection, it is obliged to launch an investigation into the child's circumstances and needs.

11. Regarding persons subjected to violence
The Social service should take steps to ensure that persons subjected to violence within a relationship get support and assistance
Social services have a special responsibility for women and children who are victims of violence

12. Children who experience violence
The Social Service should pay particular attention to the need for support and assistance for children who are victims of violence or who has witnessed violence

13. Conclusions
Social Services – central part of the social welfare system
Ultimate safety net
Rights for the individual and especially children

14. Obligations for the municipality
A law about obligations, i.e.
municipality shall engage in certain activities to fulfill the citizens needs
open an investigation
make documentation concerning support measures, care and treatment.

15. Some of the government’s ongoing efforts

16. Professional development for social workers and supervisors
web-based support to newly employed social workers
Initiative to strengthen social care for children and young people
a stimulus initiative in 2016–2019 to reinforce staffing levels in social care for children and young people

17. A national coordinator for the social child and youth care
In dialogue with local authorities to provide support for quality development and identify development needs

18. A stronger child rights perspective for children in sheltered accommodation
The investigation shall:
propose ways to increase knowledge about the child’s own need for support
propose ways to guarantee the child's right to school, health care, support and treatment

19. Barnafrid – national knowledge centre on violence against children
a national center with the task of collecting and disseminating knowledge about violence and other abuse of children.
The government has assigned Linköping University to establish this center (2015)

20. Promoting cooperation between authorities
mapping good examples
identify barriers that prevent cooperation
on the basis of children´s rights
see children, parents and guardians as important resources and with the opportunity to participate in the development work

21. ”Barnahus”- Childrens houses
investigations concerning children suspected of being victims of violence and sexual abuse.
police, prosecutors, healthcare and social services collaborate on a regional level and “under the same roof”
to promote a child-friendly treatment

22. ”Open comparisons”
attempting to increase access to comparable information on quality, results and costs.
promote comparisons and contribute to greater openness concerning results and costs for activities run by municipalities and county councils.