Early intervention and follow-up are important to curb home sitting

According to a survey conducted by TV4's Cold Facts, the number of homeowners is at least 5,500 individuals. For example, the consequences of staying at home can be missed final grades in both primary and secondary schools. According to Sara Larsson, a social worker, at the Arena in Västerås who talks to young people sitting at home, they usually want to be at school.

- It's usually about not getting the support they need. It is important that you map, investigate and put in the right efforts.

According to her, many of the young people she met have already been to several meetings with the school, social services or child and adolescent psychiatry. Many are frustrated and feel that they have not received any help.

- But we meet as often as schools who feel they have done everything, but the results have not been achieved.

Instead, the lack of follow-up can be a reason why the student does not feel better. A certain measure can be put in place, but whether or not it works does not always emerge.

There is no universal solution, she believes, and it is important that all efforts are followed up.

According to Sara Larsson, the successful examples where collaboration worked well and follow-up and evaluation of how effective an effort have been have been. Collaboration between parents, school social services and BUP is also important.

- Successful examples I see in the professional world are when working together towards a common goal. Where youth is always involved.

According to sociologist Maria Sjöholm Pettersson, the school bears the initial responsibility. For example, find out if the student needs extra special educational support or other adjustments.

- The school has a responsibility to identify whether a student is in need of support, but also the parents have an important responsibility. They know their children and can signal, she says. 

Is it a recurring story that you put in an effort, but do not evaluate whether it was effective?

- I can hear that. That parents and young people describe that they did not feel that they had received the right support.