Social services
Social Services Administration
The Social Services Administration operates a wide range of activities and is responsible for ensuring that everyone staying in the Municipality of Söderköping has their fundamental needs of care and safety provided for. We work from a resident’s perspective and adapt our efforts to each individual’s requirements.
The majority of our social services are statutory and are regulated by the Social Services Act (SoL), the Swedish Act concerning Support and Service for Persons with Certain Functional Impairments (LSS) and the Healthcare Act (HSL).
The Social Services Administration is organised in five different sectors and the organisation is built on a clear division of agency practices and the implementation of decisions made. • Sector for Investigation • Sector for Care • Sector for Encouragement and Support • Sector for LSS • Sector for Joint Support Resources The Social Services Administration management, staff and managers for the Sector for Care are located in the civic offices. The Sector for Encouragement and Support which works with children and young people, adults and their networks is located on Östra Rydsvägen near Nyströmska School. A part of the management for Sector LSS and the entire Sector for Investigation are located at the Cooperation Office which constitutes a unit for all aid-related investigation work within the Social Services Committee framework.
Cooperation office
There are numerous agencies at the Cooperation office: some parts of the Social Services Administration, the Swedish Social Insurance Agency and the Swedish Police Service (NÄPO South).
Welfare benefit
Those that do not have the possibility to support themselves or their families can be entitled to a welfare benefit in the form of a means-tested contribution. Since the benefit is means-tested, an investigation is carried out according to the demands stipulated in the Social Services Act and with reference to the national averages.
You can also receive advice and help with your domestic budget and debt repayment questions.
Work placements
Adults of working age who receive support from the social services administration in the form of a welfare benefit, can be offered work placements with an aim to be offered work or another form of employment.
Introduction programmes for immigrants
If you have moved to Söderköping directly from abroad or from a camp and have received a residency permit because you are seeking asylum, the Municipality of Söderköping can gladly organise an introduction programme for you. This programme gives you language training and also work orientation assistance amongst other things.
Notification of estate
Should a deceased person’s assets not be sufficient for the funeral fees and other costs related to the death, the estate inventory can be replaced by a notification of estate.
Children and family
It is the primary responsibility of all parents to see that their children’s needs in terms of care, safety and a good upbringing are fulfilled. Sometimes however, parents can go through trying times and need community support to get back on track again. The Social Services Administration works to investigate the needs of a child and decides what type of support can be delivered. It is often the case that support and assistance in the comfort of your own home, through networks, counselling sessions and support from a contact person or another family, is sufficient. Occasionally, a shorter or longer period of care in a foster home or treatment centre is needed.
Family counselling
Family counselling is an independent and preventative psycho-social care operation which helps families facing difficulties. It is a voluntary organisation with strict confidentiality agreements towards individuals and authorities. Neither journals nor registers are kept and everyone can choose to be anonymous. The residents of Söderköping can visit the Family Counselling Centre in Norrköping, located on Nya Rådstugugatan 3. Fees are charged for the services.
Family law
When a family faces separation, discussions often arise in terms of custody and access to the children. When in agreement, the parents can sign a contract regarding the care of the children – where they should live and how visiting should take place. For parents that are not in agreement, family law can offer collaboration dialogues to give parents the opportunity to decide what is best for the children.
Collaboration dialogues can also be carried out on assignment by the District Court. Please contact the Cooperation Office or the Norrköping District Court for more information.
Family support
If you are a parent experiencing difficulties in caring for your children, you can receive help from a family specialist in the comfort of your own home. This support gives all family members the help needed to develop family relations and create a well-functioning dialogue. This support is available after an investigation is performed by the social secretary. Family support is offered free of charge.
Paternity
For unmarried parents, confirmation of paternity shall be confirmed in writing.
Adoption
In order to adopt a child from abroad, the Municipal Social Services Committee shall give permission to the family concerned. Permission is decided upon the results of an investigation into the family’s home. The adoption process itself is handled through an authorised organisation dealing with adoption issues.
LSS –The Swedish Act concerning Support and Service for Persons with Certain Functional Impairments
LSS is a legislation which established that people with functional impairments have the right to govern their own lives. The LSS target group divides people into 3 client categories:
• people with an intellectual disability, autism, or a condition resembling autism
• people with a significant and permanent intellectual impairment after brain damage in adulthood due to an external force or a physical illness
• people who have other major and permanent physical or mental impairments which are clearly not due to normal ageing and which cause significant difficulties in daily life and consequently require extensive support and service
Through LSS people with functional impairments can be granted home-help services, companion services and day centres.
Day centres
Day centres offer people with functional impairments, employment activity support in an adapted environment. There are a variety of activities to choose from such as textiles, building lego, outdoor groups, laundry and security.
Encouragement and Support
The Sector for Encouragement and Support comprises process work such as residential support, family specialist services, day centres for people with functional impairments, work with drug abusers and alcoholics, employment support and integration. The sector provides treatment services in the form of aid and open participation.
Meeting places
For those people of working age with psycho-social difficulties which in different ways hinder their daily lives, the day care centre ’Träffpunkten’ offers community spirit and meaningful activities.
Residential support
People who have difficulty living on their own can receive help to develop and maintain their ability to manage daily life and crucial contact in their intimate environment. The support is available on the basis of an investigation performed by the social secretary or a LSS case worker. Residential support is free of charge.
Psychiatric coordination
The Psychiatric Coordination Unit works to coordinate and develop the community’s efforts for people with psycho-social problems. People in need of care and support counselling and decisions are offered help according to the Social Services Act (SoL). The counselling can be coordinated with other activities from care providers, the Swedish Social Insurance Agency, etc.
Advice and support for substance abusers
If you have a problem with alcohol or drug abuse, we can offer information and support to create the conditions you need to stop the addiction. Support is available through advice or approved counselling services. These are both offered free of charge.
Nexus
Nexus is a form of out-patient care which, through networking, supports and helps young people between the ages of 13 and 21 who have an unstable time at school, at home or in their free-time. Nexus is run by social services, schools and leisure-time centres. The goal is that young people can feel supported in their efforts at school and/or at work or on work placements; can enjoy their spare time in a meaningful way; and have good relationships with family members and other important people. The support is designed with young people and their own individual networks.
Joint support resources
Within the Sector for Joint Support Services, numerous parts of the administration’s resources are coordinated. The areas include system and operational support, purchasing questions, the council and committee secretariat, permissions, quality development, MAS (Medical Responsibility Nurse), coordinator for general preventative work within the child and young people’s council and municipal health and community care work.
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