En studie om utredande socialsekreterares upplevelser av maktutövande och hjälpande relationer i arbetet med sina klienter – vuxna missbrukare

Sammanfattning: The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the factors of authority and of power and how these factors effect the relationship between social workers and their clients from the social workers point of view. Four semi-structured interviews were conducted with social workers from an Investigative Unit for Adults with Substance Abuse within the Municipal Social Services. The data was analysed by using Skau´s theories with reference to the balance between helping and using power in the interactions with clients, as well as Lipsky’s theories on discretion and bureaucracy. The study showed social workers’ experience and thoughts concerning authority related relationships. Two main processes were defined that influence the relationship between social worker and client. The first process was the social workers’ obligation to follow rules, laws and frameworks. The second process pertained to social workers’ ability to meet each client’s individual needs and being able to offer suitable support. These two processes are on different sides of a spectrum with the amount of authority being exercised and the amount of help given being on opposite ends. The room for manoeuvre between these two processes was shaped by the social workers’ different patterns of action. The social workers’ patterns of action expressed various aspects of power and were in part based on their experience and personal values.