SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

New Social Services Act: "Paradigm Shift"

The Government proposes that a new Social Services Act comes into force on 1 July 2025. More preventive activities and early interventions are intended to prevent young people from being drawn into crime and abuse. However, the funds allocated by the Government are insufficient, according to several organizations.

» Updated: 07 October 2024, 11:10

» Published: 02 July 2024

New Social Services Act: "Paradigm Shift"
Photo: Claudio Bresciani/TT

The Government proposes that a new Social Services Act come into force on 1 July 2025.

More preventive activities and early interventions are intended to prevent young people from being drawn into crime and substance abuse.

However, the funds allocated by the Government are not sufficient, according to several organizations.

Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) has previously launched the new Social Services Act as the largest reform of Swedish social policy in 40 years.

Minister for Social Affairs Camilla Waltersson Grönvall (M) points out that when the current law was enacted, there was no risk of children being recruited into criminal networks.

When society changes, the tools must also change, she says.

A key feature of the new law is that municipalities' social services must work more preventively before small problems become large. For example, when a child is at risk of being drawn into criminality. This includes, among other things, increased requirements for outreach activities.

Young people with risk behavior will, when this is in place, be able to easily come in and receive a lot of advice and support from us, says Monica Persson, Chairman of the Association of Swedish Social Services Managers.

"Not optional"

Vision's Chairman Veronica Magnusson welcomes the fact that preventive work is now being prioritized.

This is not optional and cannot be opted out of. For far too many years, preventive work has consisted of projects that have subsequently been prioritized away in the next budget or been the subject of a politically colored experiment, she says.

The new law also requires that social services become more accessible, among other things through longer opening hours. Furthermore, help should be available more quickly by exempting more interventions from individual needs assessments.

This means we can reach people who would otherwise be reluctant to contact social services, says Waltersson Grönvall.

The requirement for investigation remains, for example, for economic support, care in foster homes, or permanent placement in special housing.

More funding needed

To enable social services to fulfill their new task, the Government has allocated eight billion kronor until 2028. The funds, which were announced earlier, are to be used for increased competence and staffing.

Chairman of the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions, Anders Henriksson, believes that the new law is a "paradigm shift". However, he does not think that the eight billion kronor are sufficient.

Nor does Monica Persson.

I think more is needed. It's 290 municipalities that need to adapt, she says.

Another novelty is that concern reports will be digitally searchable. The new law also strengthens children's rights.

Tags
TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

The King on the Climate Meeting: It's Moving Too Slowly
2 MIN READ

The King on the Climate Meeting: It's Moving Too Slowly

Resignation Demand on Demirok: "Weak Leadership"
3 MIN READ

Resignation Demand on Demirok: "Weak Leadership"

Town Hall Evacuated Due to Threatening Note
1 MIN READ

Town Hall Evacuated Due to Threatening Note

The Government appoints new Chancellor of Justice
1 MIN READ

The Government appoints new Chancellor of Justice

The Liberals' office attacked: "Abhorrent"
2 MIN READ

The Liberals' office attacked: "Abhorrent"

Three charged with thermos bomb in Malmö
1 MIN READ

Three charged with thermos bomb in Malmö

Kristersson: "Close dialogue with other countries"
1 MIN READ

Kristersson: "Close dialogue with other countries"

The Social Democrats want answers about stopped wind farms
1 MIN READ

The Social Democrats want answers about stopped wind farms

Two charged with fatal shooting at restaurant
1 MIN READ

Two charged with fatal shooting at restaurant

Power Outage in Court: "Sitting in Darkness"
1 MIN READ

Power Outage in Court: "Sitting in Darkness"

The Navy investigates sabotage on another cable
1 MIN READ

The Navy investigates sabotage on another cable

The parties behind the Tidö agreement want a cap on the size of children's groups.
3 MIN READ

The parties behind the Tidö agreement want a cap on the size of children's groups.

Åkesson: Total Stop for Citizenship
1 MIN READ

Åkesson: Total Stop for Citizenship

Man arrested for new sex crimes against children
1 MIN READ

Man arrested for new sex crimes against children

Five detained after explosion on Östermalm
1 MIN READ

Five detained after explosion on Östermalm

Further No to Offshore Wind Power
1 MIN READ

Further No to Offshore Wind Power

Investigation launched after report against Dumpen
1 MIN READ

Investigation launched after report against Dumpen

Proposal for Climate Agreement Slammed: Unacceptable
2 MIN READ

Proposal for Climate Agreement Slammed: Unacceptable

Four out of ten houses have deficiencies in fire protection.
1 MIN READ

Four out of ten houses have deficiencies in fire protection.

Snow and strong winds – many households without power
2 MIN READ

Snow and strong winds – many households without power