Individanpassningen i arbetet med ensamkommande flyktingbarn - hur och varför.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine how personnel working with unaccompanied refugee children at homes for care or residence highlights individualized support in their work, and to analyze opportunities and obstacles within this work. Qualitative interviews were performed with five personnel, from three different homes for care or residence, working with unaccompanied refugee children. The collected material was analyzed through a power perspective, more specifically with the theoretical concepts empowerment and pastoral power. The results emphasized the unaccompanied refugee children’s independence as the goal of the organizations. To reach this goal the respondents expressed a need to cater the individuals’ needs. The unaccompanied refugee children’s necessities were, according to the personnel in our study, the need to be in control, the need to be seen, the need of a personal context, the need of relations to other children and the need of personal influence. In order to be able to notice and understand the individuals’ needs, and thereby establish the individualized support, a respectful relationship between the personnel and the children were expressed as the major pillar of importance.