Unaccompanied children that arrives in Sweden are usually placed in homes for care and residence, called HVB. It is the municipality's responsibility to provide adequate care and protection for the children. The aim of the study is to examine how a workgroup on a HVB home for unaccompanied children is working to meet the needs of the children, and how the workgroup improves the children’s integration process. The study also aims to examine the emotional labour of the workgroup, which illustrates how they can manage their own emotional behavior when working with the unaccompanied children. The study is based on a qualitative approach with detailed descriptions of five semi-structured interviews with the workgroup and assistant managers. The study relieved that the workgroup of the HVB home are able to cater to the individual needs of the unaccompanied children based on difficulties and their past experience. The result shows that the professional approach of the workgroup differs when working with the unaccompanied children’s needs and integration process. The results also relieved that the overall goal of the studied HVB home – to make the unaccompanied children completely independent and responsible young adults, is not completely fulfilled. In order to further improve the children's development in their new environment, previous studies have found that it is important to not only understand the importance of a professional approach but also to collaborate with others. This in order to contribute to the children’s development in the new society.

<p>Validerat; 20101217 (root)</p>