Socialnämnden

Socialnämnden is a municipal political committee in Sweden responsible for local social welfare services. The term translates roughly to “the Social Welfare Committee.” It operates within a municipality and is elected by the municipal council. The committee oversees the municipal social services administration (socialtjänsten) and sets policy for how social welfare is organized and delivered locally.

The responsibilities of socialnämnden include planning, budgeting, and decisions on services for residents who need social support. This typically covers child and family services, services for the elderly and for people with disabilities, housing support, and social assistance. The committee ensures that services comply with national laws such as the Social Services Act (SoL) and coordinates with other public and voluntary actors to meet residents’ needs.

Organization and procedure: socialnämnden is composed of municipal councilors appointed by the municipal council. It is led by a chair and may operate through subcommittees or delegated bodies. The day-to-day management of the services is carried out by the socialtjänsten (the municipal social services administration) under the direction of the committee. Decisions are typically made in committee meetings and must adhere to legal rules and the municipality’s budget; some matters may be implemented through delegated authority.

Relation to other levels: The socialnämnden is subordinate to the municipal council and works in coordination with county-level health and social services, as well as national policies. The exact scope and even the name of the body can vary between municipalities; some municipalities use a different designation such as omsorgsnämnd or combine social services with care under a single committee.

Impact: The socialnämnden is central to translating national welfare policy into local services, aiming to support vulnerable groups, promote welfare, and enhance social inclusion within the municipality.