The Minister for Social Affairs, Camilla Waltersson Grönvall (The Moderate Party), promises "a significant improvement" in a couple of months regarding the shortage of places at so-called Sis-homes. Currently, 31 young people are waiting for a place in closed care.
We have young people who can pose a threat to themselves and others, and it can involve children and young people who are involved in criminality and risk being drawn into criminal networks, says Waltersson Grönvall about the situation.
She had a crisis meeting last week with, among others, the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SKR) and the National Board of Institutions (Sis). This was due to warnings that several young people in need of closed youth care risk committing serious violent crimes this summer.
According to the latest figure from Sis, 31 children and young people are waiting for a place in care. No younger boys are waiting for a placement, the authority stated on Wednesday. Last week, the queue was up to 58.
It has decreased significantly, actually, says the Minister.
One reason for this is closer cooperation between the municipalities and Sis, and a mapping of where the most acute needs exist. The municipalities have also reduced their applications for places in a preventive manner.
Overall, a range of different measures should be able to bring about a significant improvement in this area within a couple of months, and I believe we have been able to meet the most acute needs, says Waltersson Grönwall.
SKR's warning around Midsummer was described as very serious. The organization wrote in a petition to the government that young people, especially in large cities, must be taken off the streets, otherwise some of the children risk committing murder.
The Minister for Social Affairs will have a follow-up meeting with the stakeholders in mid or late August.
