Att arbete professionellt under förändring : Hur påverkas arbetet med ensamkommande barns individuella behov av ökad arbetsbelastning.

Sammanfattning: The aim of this study was to explain how the work with unaccompanied children´s individual needs is affected by an increased workload at residential care homes for unaccompanied children. More specifically it´s aim was to critically analyse how the professional approach is affected by an increased workload. The study was based on eight semi-structured interviews with professionals that work at residential care homes for unaccompanied children. The theories that have been the basis for the analysis is Ulla Holms theory of professional approach and Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs. The result of the essay shows that the increased workload affects the professional’s ability to work with a professional approach with the children’s needs. The important need of safe relationships and a safe environment have been affected by an increased number of children placed, double occupancy in some rooms and an increased staff turnover. The staff found it hard to keep a good professional approach in a demanding and challenging environment when the right conditions are experienced as missing.  Simply the time is not enough and major difficulties occur for the personal to handle the lodge and at the same time have time for the children living there. The situation has resulted in a focus on group-oriented care that complicate the accommodation of the children's individual needs.