Mellan förtroendefulla relationer och anmälningsskyldighet - En studie om skolkuratorers balansgång i arbetet med elever

Sammanfattning

The aim of this study was to examine how school counsellors experienced and managed the circumstances of developing trustworthy relationships with pupils, while considering the obligation to report. We conducted six semistructured interviews consisting of school counsellors from diverse schools in the southern part of Sweden. The results are presented in three main themes, upon which the first theme is the making of trustworthy relationships. The findings indicated that all school counsellors highlighted the importance of being present around the pupils to enable the development of trustworthy relationships. The second theme, regarding the obligation to report, shows that the school counsellors find it difficult to know when to act upon their responsibilities, because the law can leave space for interpretation. When uncertainty arose, the school counsellors mentioned that they found guidance in consulting with school staff and by contacting the social services. The last theme, which includes a combination between the two previous themes, focuses on dilemmas experienced by school counsellors between balancing how to act upon their obligation to report, while still trying to establish a good relationship with the pupils. The conclusion of this study is that the school counsellors constantly, based on different approaches, aim to use their authority for a positive purpose. Therefore, the findings indicate that the school counsellors hold a dual role in their professional practice.