Den psykosociala arbetsmiljön inom IFO, barn- och familj, socialtjänsten : En organisation med förbättringspotential

Abstract A well-known problem in the social services is that the professional role as a social worker is comprised of stress and poor working environment. Research has examined these problems and have described by different models how psychosocial work factors can lead to sickness and stress related illness (Göransson, Lindfors, Ishäll, Nylén, Kylin, & Sverke, 2013). This study is going to present seven interviews from five social workers who work within child protection and two that previously worked within child protection from two different counties. In the study, we have chosen to focus on the field of child and family because it is one of the most stress related fields of social work (Tham & Meagher 2009). In summary, our results show that social workers are pleased with the collegial support and meaningfulness that entails. However, it appears to be a lack of participation in organizational issues and thereby reduced control. The high workload involves high standards, for both new recruits and experienced social workers in social services. The professional field has a need for increased financial resources, which would allow for higher salaries, more staff and a solid and developed induction training. The documentation should be streamlined to improve the psychosocial working environment of social workers and to create more space for client contact