Välvilliga, men okunniga : En kvalitativ intervjustudie om transinkluderande arbete inom socialtjänsten.

Benevolent, but uninformed : a qualitative interview-study on trans-inclusive behavior within the Swedish social services. The transgender community is a heterogenic group of gender diverse individuals who are at greater risk of societal oppression and maltreatment by the welfare system. The aim of this bachelor’s thesis is to assess the degree of trans-inclusive behavior of five social service workers within the Swedish social services. The selections of the five participating social service workers were made through invitations sent to different Heads of Unit within the social services in Malmö, Lund, and Helsingborg. These invitations were then forwarded to social service officers who, if interested, contacted the author of this bachelor’s thesis. Five qualitative, semi-structured interviews with the participating social services officers were then held. The findings of this thesis conclude that a majority of the participating social service officers are positive in regards of implementing more trans-inclusive and gender-neutral practices with in their work with clients. Although there is currently a lack of knowledge on how this should be done, and what it entails. Another prominent theme throughout the interviews is the perspective of the individual. As told by participating social service officers, this approach enables them to enter the client meeting with blank slates and no preconceptions of the client. This ultimately enables them to meet the client in their current state of wellbeing and the work takes off from there. Although efficient when working with multiple clients, this approach could be seen as a rational coping mechanism, it could also function as an excuse to know further gain knowledge about specific client groups. Transgender individuals are requesting more trans-specific knowledge within the social services, and the perspective of the individual-approach could end up hindering it. As this bachelor’s thesis have had its focus on trans-inclusive behavior, future research could be needed for trans-inclusive interventions due to trans identifying clients having been denied access to care by The National Board of Institutional Care (Statens institutionsstyrelse) because of the client’s gender identity