The Government proposes that a new Social Services Act come into force on 1 July 2025.
More preventive activities and early interventions are intended to prevent young people from being drawn into crime and substance abuse.
However, the funds allocated by the Government are not sufficient, according to several organizations.
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) has previously launched the new Social Services Act as the largest reform of Swedish social policy in 40 years.
Minister for Social Affairs Camilla Waltersson Grönvall (M) points out that when the current law was enacted, there was no risk of children being recruited into criminal networks.
When society changes, the tools must also change, she says.
A key feature of the new law is that municipalities' social services must work more preventively before small problems become large. For example, when a child is at risk of being drawn into criminality. This includes, among other things, increased requirements for outreach activities.
Young people with risk behavior will, when this is in place, be able to easily come in and receive a lot of advice and support from us, says Monica Persson, Chairman of the Association of Swedish Social Services Managers.
"Not optional"
Vision's Chairman Veronica Magnusson welcomes the fact that preventive work is now being prioritized.
This is not optional and cannot be opted out of. For far too many years, preventive work has consisted of projects that have subsequently been prioritized away in the next budget or been the subject of a politically colored experiment, she says.
The new law also requires that social services become more accessible, among other things through longer opening hours. Furthermore, help should be available more quickly by exempting more interventions from individual needs assessments.
This means we can reach people who would otherwise be reluctant to contact social services, says Waltersson Grönvall.
The requirement for investigation remains, for example, for economic support, care in foster homes, or permanent placement in special housing.
More funding needed
To enable social services to fulfill their new task, the Government has allocated eight billion kronor until 2028. The funds, which were announced earlier, are to be used for increased competence and staffing.
Chairman of the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions, Anders Henriksson, believes that the new law is a "paradigm shift". However, he does not think that the eight billion kronor are sufficient.
Nor does Monica Persson.
I think more is needed. It's 290 municipalities that need to adapt, she says.
Another novelty is that concern reports will be digitally searchable. The new law also strengthens children's rights.
