Authorities and people you will meet
You will meet people from many authorities and many different adults who are responsible for different things that affect you. Authorities are responsible for making sure that society functions in accordance with Sweden’s laws. Examples of authorities that you will have contact with are the Swedish Migration Agency and social services.
The Swedish Migration Agency
Among other things, the Swedish Migration Agency is responsible for:
- investigating your application and deciding whether you have the right to a residence permit
- providing you with financial support if you do not have your own money and do not receive any money from your
- accommodation in Sweden
- deciding which municipality will be responsible for providing you with accommodation, schooling and a guardian
- helping you connect with your parents, if possible.
If you feel more comfortable talking to a man or a woman in contact with, for example, the Swedish Migration Agency or the municipality, you can say so.
The municipality
Among other things, the municipality is responsible for making sure that:
- you get someplace to live that suits you and your needs
- you can go to school
- you get a guardian.
Social services
In each municipality, there is something called ‘social services’. Social services work according to rules on how society should help everyone who needs support. It is the social services that decide where you will live. All unaccompanied minors are assigned a contact person at the social services called a ‘social worker’.
Guardian
If you are under the age of 18 and come to Sweden without your parents, you will be assigned a guardian. You will not live with your guardian, but he or she is responsible for helping you with a number of things that your parents would otherwise have done.
For example, a trustee must:
- be present when you have contact with authorities, such as the Swedish Migration Agency or social services
- handle the contact with your school
- help you make an appointment with a doctor, dentist or psychologist
- be responsible for your finances if you are under 16 years of age.
Interpreter
You have the right to an interpreter when you go to important meetings. This includes when you meet with the Swedish Migration Agency, someone who works for the municipality, or when you visit the doctor.
The interpreter can speak both Swedish and the language you and your family speak. It is the interpreter’s job to translate everything that is said in the room and not say anything more. It is important that you and the interpreter understand each other and that you dare to say everything you want to say while the interpreter is there. If you do not understand the interpreter, you need to tell them. Also tell us if you and the interpreter are related or know each other in some other way. If you prefer to have a man or a woman as an interpreter, you should say so in advance.
Obligation of secrecy
Everyone who works at the Swedish Migration Agency, in the municipality, and in the healthcare service or schools has an obligation of secrecy. That means they are not allowed to share what you have said with anyone who does not have the legal right to know. Only the people working on your case have the right to know what you have said. Interpreters are also bound by an obligation of secrecy.
A guardian, on the other hand, is not bound by an obligation of secrecy. This is because a guardian, just like a parent, needs to be able to talk to various authorities about you.
Anyone who has an obligation of secrecy may break their obligation of secrecy so that they can talk to another responsible adult if they think you are in any sort of danger.