Socialarbetares syn på institutionell påverkan i arbetet med unga lagöverträdare

The aim of this study is to increase knowledge and understanding regarding which institutional demands can be identified by social welfare secretary’s in their work with juvenile offenders. The study uses organizational theory to try and find different institutional strategies that social workers use to handle such demands. The study takes a qualitative approach and consists of six semi-structural interviews with social welfare secretary’s who work with juvenile offenders.The results of the study show how institutional influence comes from various organizations and institutions such as media, legislation as well as the police and justice system. Results also show that a wide range of strategies are used in coping with these demands. The strategies are identified from organizational theory as buffering and bridging strategies.The study’s conclusions show a conflict between what should be the social workers main focus in their work, welfare or justice. It identifies two separate paths social welfare secretary’s take in coping with institutional demands. One leans more towards welfare while the other is more justice oriented. It also shows that cooperation with other organizations in the same field seems to be a possible solution to the conflict