Mellan empati och kontroll - en kvalitativ studie om socialsekreterares upplevelser av förändringar i migrationspolitiken
(2026) SOPB63 20252School of Social Work
- Abstract
- This study aims to examine how changes in integration policy and the political discourse on migration affect social workers’ perceptions of their professional discretion, as well as how these changes are reflected in everyday practice and in encounters with clients. The study is based on qualitative interviews with social workers working with newly arrived migrants at the municipality level and is guided by three research questions focusing on professional discretion, the navigation between professional ideals and political directives, and how changes in the political discourse influence social work practice.
The findings show that social workers operate within a complex field of tension in which political decisions, organizational... (More) - This study aims to examine how changes in integration policy and the political discourse on migration affect social workers’ perceptions of their professional discretion, as well as how these changes are reflected in everyday practice and in encounters with clients. The study is based on qualitative interviews with social workers working with newly arrived migrants at the municipality level and is guided by three research questions focusing on professional discretion, the navigation between professional ideals and political directives, and how changes in the political discourse influence social work practice.
The findings show that social workers operate within a complex field of tension in which political decisions, organizational frameworks, and professional values often conflict with one another. Although social workers formally have a certain degree of discretion, their actual possibilities to exercise professional judgment are constrained by increased regulation, limited resources, and more detailed political steering. The study also shows that a more restrictive and controlling discourse on migration affects both social workers’ professional roles and newly arrived migrants’ sense of security and belonging.
The results are discussed in relation to previous research on street-level bureaucracy, professional discretion, and political discourse, and illustrate how broader political changes have consequences for everyday work at the frontline of the welfare state. By highlighting social workers’ experiences, the study contributes to a deeper understanding of how policy related to integration is implemented in practice and how political decisions shape the conditions for social work with newly arrived migrants. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9219742
- author
- Sundqvist, Linnea LU and Riderelli Rio, Tania LU
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- SOPB63 20252
- year
- 2026
- type
- M2 - Bachelor Degree
- subject
- keywords
- integration, social work, street-level bureaucrats, discourse, discretion, socialt arbete, närbyråkrater, diskurs, handlingsutrymme
- language
- Swedish
- id
- 9219742
- date added to LUP
- 2026-01-20 14:48:40
- date last changed
- 2026-01-20 14:48:40
@misc{9219742,
abstract = {{This study aims to examine how changes in integration policy and the political discourse on migration affect social workers’ perceptions of their professional discretion, as well as how these changes are reflected in everyday practice and in encounters with clients. The study is based on qualitative interviews with social workers working with newly arrived migrants at the municipality level and is guided by three research questions focusing on professional discretion, the navigation between professional ideals and political directives, and how changes in the political discourse influence social work practice.
The findings show that social workers operate within a complex field of tension in which political decisions, organizational frameworks, and professional values often conflict with one another. Although social workers formally have a certain degree of discretion, their actual possibilities to exercise professional judgment are constrained by increased regulation, limited resources, and more detailed political steering. The study also shows that a more restrictive and controlling discourse on migration affects both social workers’ professional roles and newly arrived migrants’ sense of security and belonging.
The results are discussed in relation to previous research on street-level bureaucracy, professional discretion, and political discourse, and illustrate how broader political changes have consequences for everyday work at the frontline of the welfare state. By highlighting social workers’ experiences, the study contributes to a deeper understanding of how policy related to integration is implemented in practice and how political decisions shape the conditions for social work with newly arrived migrants.}},
author = {{Sundqvist, Linnea and Riderelli Rio, Tania}},
language = {{swe}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{Mellan empati och kontroll - en kvalitativ studie om socialsekreterares upplevelser av förändringar i migrationspolitiken}},
year = {{2026}},
}