Large differences in skills in children Investigator – Swedish Radio

There are large differences between the municipalities in terms of the skills of officers who investigate child matters, which could have serious consequences for the affected children.

Gunnel Nordin, head of investigations on children and young people in Helsingborg believes that this may mean that in the worst case of missing important information.

– It may have the consequence that in our investigation may miss information and do not take certain tasks seriously, and perhaps not the right priorities, she said.

According to the report from the National Board is the sharp fluctuations in staff skills, and what skills gap is due to unclear, but Gunnel Nordin believe that the services are simply not attractive enough.

– It’s all about the load so clear, and on salaries and status, she said.

According to the report, about 70 percent of officers in Sweden that investigates child a social worker training. Meanwhile, the 30 percent who do not. But competence is not only about education but thus also about experience.

– We have difficulty finding experienced social workers. Most people who sit on these services are recent graduates, says Gunnel Nordin.

The National Board comparison also shows that children placed at a disadvantage even in schools where only 55 percent of these children reach secondary school diploma and it can be compared with 88 percent among the other children. And despite the fact that social services should promote placed children’s health and education, these children generally both poorer health and school performance.

This particular feel “Nathalie” again. She foster placed when she was five years old with a family who subjected her to harassment and assault for several years, and she believes that her school had been different if the social worker intervened earlier.

– I wish it was different . Then I might have been a much stronger person today. Maybe I had a job in a completely different place and I might have had an easier schooling. It has ruined my childhood …

FOOTNOTE: Nathalie’s really something else.

Saffi Yucel
saffi_yucel@sverigesradio.se