This year’s Hasselasamtal (August 22) gathered key representatives from national authorities, unions, municipalities, and academia to discuss the new Social Services Act and its impact on Swedish social work. The focus was on how the law strengthens preventive efforts, early interventions, outreach, and the role of science and proven experience.
Among the speakers were Björn Eriksson, Director-General of the National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen), who described the authority’s work to implement the law and support municipalities; and Heike Erkers, Chair of Akademikerförbundet SSR, who highlighted the union’s role in driving the reform and emphasized that municipalities must now work more preventively with greater reliance on evidence-based practice.
I participated in a discussion together with Karin Thornqvist, Head of Unit at Lund’s Department of Labor Market and Social Services, and Sofia Möller, CEO of Hassela Skåne. We focused on early interventions, outreach, and availability – being present where children and young people are, and ready to support them when needed.
In my own contribution, I underlined the importance of crime prevention, continuous evaluation of interventions, and the need for ongoing research. I also praised the new legislation for its stronger preventive orientation and its emphasis on science and proven experience.
Political perspectives were provided by Amanda Thonander (M), Chair of the Labor Market and Social Committee in Lund, and Sedat Arif (S), City Councilor in Malmö responsible for labor market and social services, who outlined the preparations and expectations in their municipalities.