A very aggressive rumour campaign is currently under way on various social media – both in Sweden and abroad – alleging that Swedish social services kidnap, imprison and sexually exploit Muslim children. This information is, of course, seriously misleading and the sole aim is to create tensions and spread mistrust.
Swedish social services work to ensure that children and young people can grow up in safe conditions. This is an incredibly important – yet difficult – task.
If children and young people are at risk of unfavourable development, society has a responsibility to ensure that they receive the protection and support they need.
Swedish social services employ social workers with special knowledge about children’s needs and whose task is to ensure that all children can grow up safely. In practice, this may involve supporting families in which one of the parents struggles with mental health issue or substance abuse. Social services must also protect children and parents who are subjected to violence or abuse.
Ordinarily, an agreement is reached on which type of support is most appropriate. For example, this may involve families with multiple conflicts meeting with a person who is good at helping families resolve such problems. It may also involve children living somewhere else for a period of time, e.g. with another family (foster home).
Swedish social services’ activities are governed primarily by the Social Services Act, which is based on the principle of voluntariness. However, complementary provisions in the Care of Young Persons Act make it possible in certain cases to decide on measures even without consent.
A decision on compulsory care under the Care of Young Persons Act requires either issues in the young person’s home environment and/or with the young person’s own behaviour. These issues must entail that there is a tangible risk of harm to the young person’s health or development. There is also a requirement that necessary care cannot be provided on a voluntary basis.
