Anmälningsplikten 14:1 SoL - Utmaningar och etiska överväganden vid processen av en orosanmälan- yrkesverksammas perspektiv

This study examines the convoluted challenges of different professions and their duty to report to Social Services if suspicion or knowledge of a child being in physical or mental danger occurs. In Sweden this is regulated by the law 14:1 SoL that requires personnel in their work with minors to report the slightest concern of danger without any circumstances. Previous research studies have found that there are noticeable lack of reports within the professions covered by this law. The degree of reporting differs between the professional groups that have a reporting obligation, but what all have in common is that the reporting rate is low in all. Therefore, the aim of this study has been to examine different professionals’ experiences of being in the process of reporting concern of a child, with focus on possible contexts that put professionals in ethically difficult situations. To answer these questions we’ve performed semi-structured interviews with six different professionals from four different organisations in Malmö. The analysis is based on two theories which are professional ethics and normative ethics. The final conclusions were that these theories combined with the empirical data generated in three different themes that causes difficulties within the process of reporting to Social Services. These themes were: relationships and trust, policies and guidelines, and norms and values. In decision-making, an internal ranking arises between norms, values ​​and obligations in relation to the policies and guidelines that are relevant in the workplace. In the event of disruptions within these factors, it can be difficult to maintain a good and a legally safe work ethic which could lead to a lack of reports to Social Services.