"Vi är här för att skydda barnet" : En kvalitativ intervjustudie om förskollärares perspektiv på orosanmälningar

The aim of this study was to get a greater understanding of how preschool teachers describe and handle mandatory reporting and suspicions of child maltreatment. The study was based on qualitative semi-structured interviews with six pre-school teachers. Profession theory and a dramaturgical perspective were used in the analysis. The results in the study found that preschool teachers frequently use documentation and advice from other professionals, such as colleagues and child protection services, when suspicion of child maltreatment arises. Many of the interview participants also described trying to help the families with their own support efforts, which often centered around dialogues with the parents. The study also found that former experiences, both professional and private, affected the preschool teachers decisions to report. The view on mandatory reporting, as a legal obligation and as a safety net for children, was also found to be an important reason to report concern surrounding the children. Furthermore, the preschool teachers described experiencing emotional difficulties such as fear and worry for threatening situations with parents. They also described difficulties with re-building a relationship with the parents after the report and cooperation with child protective services