Eight have resigned • The accusation: Forced to cancel HVB placement – despite the risk of relapse
Eight managers have left their positions at the social service in Skärholmen this year.
Several of them in protest against the state leadership – which they believe is lacking in the work against gang crime.
– It is impossible to balance the budget when you have two gangs that are at war with each other, says Sandy Lundström to Ekot.
A large budget deficit has caused several managers to resign, reports Ekot.
Several testify to “serious shortcomings” in the work against gang crime, and say that they felt pressured to end placement in HVB and Sis homes – despite the risk of recidivism.
So far this year, eight managers have left the social service in Skärholmen and several tell Ekot that they lack confidence in the district management.
– The budget must be in balance at any price, although it is impossible to get it in balance when you have two gangs that are at war with each other, says Sandy Lundström, who is one of those who resigned, to Echo.
“To be guided by completely different considerations”
The municipality states that an effort was made after 39-year-old Mikael was shot dead on his way to the bathhouse with his twelve-year-old son on April 10 this year. But the municipality’s unit for children and young people has a budget deficit of SEK 22 million so far this year. According to the executives that Ekot spoke to, they have been told to end HVB investments to save money.
Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer (M) does not want to go into the specific cases, but tells TV4 Nyheterna that such decisions are not primarily a financial issue, but a question of what needs exist.
– It is clear that it is very important that decisions are made aimed at breaking not least the recruitment of children and young people into the criminal networks, he says.
Is it appropriate to terminate HVB and Sis investments early for financial reasons?
– No, of course not. As for whether that is what happened, I have no further knowledge. But it is naturally the case that that type of decision must be guided by completely different considerations.
Reflects the criticism
Lisa Kinnari, district director in Skärholmen, refutes the criticism and says that placements should never be terminated for budgetary reasons.
– We have never gone out and said that investments should be ended for cost reasons, on the other hand, all managers have been tasked with reviewing their costs, she tells Ekot.