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full screen The Academic Union SSR is wondering whether foot shackles for children are the right way to go. Archive image. Photo: Per Danielsson/TT
A new bill gives the social welfare committee the right to decide on electronic foot shackles for children who have turned 15.
The Academic Union SSR is questioning whether it is the right way to go.
– If the bar is low, we have a negative attitude, says Fredrik Hjulström, head of social policy, to TT.
On Wednesday morning, the so-called intermediate coercion investigation was presented, where a new law is proposed that will enable social services to deploy early open interventions for children even when consent from guardians is missing.
The law must be able to be used when a child is on the way to crime or abuse.
Buoy can have an effect
The most invasive measure in the bill is to monitor children electronically, with foot shackles, so that a decision, for example, that the child should stay at home in the evenings is followed. Foot shackles should only be given to children over the age of 15, and the measure should be tested monthly. The foot shackle may be used for a maximum of six months during a year.
– It is a very invasive effort. If there is a low bar for the buoy, we are negative. But if there is talk of having foot shackles instead of placing the child in accordance with the LVU (Act on the care of young people), it can have an effect, says Fredrik Hjulström, head of social policy at the Academic Union SSR.
Investigator Anna Tengberg says that foot shackles should not be seen as a punishment – something Hjulström does not agree with.
– What 15-16-year-old wouldn’t see it as a punishment to be put under house arrest with foot shackles, he asks himself.
Motivation question
The new bill also provides the opportunity to direct demands against guardians, including through fines. Fredrik Hjulström believes that fines risk upsetting trust in social service workers.
– It is incredibly important that guardians and children have confidence in the therapist and the treatment. You need to believe in what you do. But if you participate because you risk a fine, I don’t think that you are always particularly motivated, he says.
The fact finder’s proposal
A new law, the law on efforts within social services for guardians, children and young people when consent is lacking (LIV).
It must supplement the Social Services Act.
Decisions according to LIV must be combined with a fine.
Participation in activities according to LIV must be able to be replaced with temporary parental allowance.
The investigator estimates that 17,000 decisions according to LIV will be made per year.
It is estimated to entail additional costs for the municipalities of at least SEK 450 million.
Source: The middle coercion investigation
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