Att anmäla eller avvakta : En kvalitativ studie av lärares tolkning av anmälningsskyldigheten vid misstanke om att ett barn far illa.

Sammanfattning: The aim of this study was to examine how teachers understand and interpret their obligation to report child maltreatment to Social Services. In Sweden, the obligation to report as a govern-mental employee is bound by law. More specifically, the study’s aim was to gather infor-mation about whether or not the teachers were abiding the law. The study originated from the semi structured method and four teachers from three different schools were interviewed. The results were then analysed with the sociology of law perspective theory and the theory of dis-cretion. The results of the study show that the teachers need a deeper knowledge in what to report and when to do so. The signs of child maltreatment and child neglect was often de-scribed as diffuse and difficult to detect. The main reasons given not to report was the fear of harming the relationship to the child and its legal guardians and also an uncertainty regarding what is sufficient reasons for reporting to Social Services. The conclusion of the study is that the teachers need to assimilate relevant knowledge that facilitates in their work and protecting the children.