Makt och försörjningsstöd - en observationsstudie om hur makt utspelas i mötet och konfigureras i relationen mellan socialsekreterare och klient vid ekonomiskt bistånd inom socialtjänsten

Sammanfattning: Abstract Title: Makt och försörjningsstöd - en observationsstudie om hur makt utspelas i mötet och konfigureras i relationen mellan socialsekreterare och klient vid ekonomiskt bistånd inom socialtjänsten Author: Rebecka Karlsson Supervisor: Lars Harrysson The purpose of the study was to examine how power plays out in the meeting, and how power is configured in the relationship between social worker and client within the social financial assistance. The method used was a qualitative method and the empirical material where obtained by participant observation and interviews. Five social workers and five clients participated in the study. The result was analyzed with help of earlier research and chosen theory, Michel Foucault´s power analysis. The results showed that the social workers in the study felt that they have power in the relationship with the clients. The social workers power was legitimized of bureaucratic rules and the structure of the organization. The results also showed that the client expresses power in the meeting with the social worker. With strategies, the client can equalize the bureaucratic and formal power that the social worker often has. The client exhibited resistance in the power relationship with the social worker.