Research project The method and model of IBIC (The Individual´s needs in focus) – a critical perspective

IBIC (The Individual's needs in focus) is utilized in the social service’s assessment process and implementation of interventions concerning both children and adults. It is recommended by The National Board of Health and Welfare and nine out of ten Swedish municipalities have implemented or are going to implement IBIC.

However, there are neither evaluations nor research concerning the premises of IBIC or the outcome. It is not even evident what IBIC actually is. IBIC is described as a ‘support’, a ‘working method’ and as a ‘model’ in the guidebook. IBIC stipulates that the social service's interventions should be based on the individual´s needs rather than of the range of interventions usually offered by the municipalities. There should also be an increased focus on the individual and participation. IBIC is also supposed to assist individual and organsational follow-ups and to offer precondictions of an evidence-based practice.

IBIC is based on WHO's international classification of functional status, disabilities and health (ICF), which primarily is used by the health sector and explicitly exclude socioeconomic factors. It is debatable if a language aiming at describing ‘health’ is relevant for describing social problems. Likewise, it is important to ask if the tightly structured documentation systems of IBIC actually promotes the ‘client's voice’ and participation.

This study critically explores IBIC through community-based social support for individuals with psychiatric disabilities; it becomes the prism through which we study how IBIC is carried out by social workers. The study is qualitative based on analyses of social documentation and interviews with social workers from five municipalities. A social perspective on psychiatric disabilities will guide the study.