“Det är ju alltid ett misslyckande när man hamnar i att det blir ett sammanbrott” En kvalitativ studie om socialsekreterares hantering av avbrutna placeringar i samhällsvården.

Abstract

The aim of this study is to explore how social service workers, who work with children or foster carers, work to prevent placement breakdowns. An additional purpose is to examine what emotions that emerge in social service workers when a placement breakdown occurs, and how these emotions are dealt with. Our data was collected through seven qualitative interviews with social service workers who have experienced placement breakdowns. To analyze the data, content analysis was used and the theoretical framework that has been applied are the ecology of human development, street-level bureaucracy and emotional labor. The results of the study show that social service workers aim to prevent placement breakdowns by preparation and matching the needs of the child with the foster carer's abilities, and by offering support to the people involved under the duration of the placement. Nonetheless there appears to be difficulties that limit the possibilities of preventing breakdowns, such as workload and lack of resources. The results further show that the emotions that arise are varied and are mainly connected to emotions of anger, blame and failure. Social service workers endure and handle these emotions in various ways, both in their spare time, but also through collegial support and organizational support.