SiS schools give children hope for the future

Following the summer break, JU’s popular science lecture series, JU LIVE, is now back. Martin Hugo, Assistant Professor of Education at the School of Education and Communication at Jönköping University, was the first to speak, discussing his research into pupils with intellectual disabilities in the educational programmes run by the Swedish National Board of Institutional Care (Swedish: Statens institutionsstyrelse, SiS).

The study shows that many of the pupils interviewed felt that they were seen, listened to, and treated with respect at the SiS school. For several of them, attending school also meant greater hope for the future.

These findings are based on the study Hope, wonder and uncertainty – being a pupil with an intellectual disability in SiS’s educational programmes, conducted by Martin Hugo in collaboration with Jörgen Frostlund, Senior Lecturer at the University of Borås.

The researchers realized early on that there was a lack of knowledge about how children and young people with intellectual disabilities experience education at SiS’s special youth homes.

“It’s incredibly important to focus on this group – the most vulnerable group of children in society,” says Martin Hugo.

Based on interviews and field studies

The study was carried out between August 2024 and November 2025. It is based on a national survey of all headteachers within SiS, 24 days of fieldwork at eight special youth homes, and interviews with pupils, teachers, and headteachers.

“It’s not possible to research this area solely from behind a desk. You have to meet the pupils and listen to their experiences,” says Martin Hugo.

School gave hope for the future

Many of the children and young people placed at SiS have experienced a vulnerable upbringing characterized by, for example, poverty, substance abuse, violence, abuse, and a lack of care. Several have also had inadequate or interrupted school education.

In the interviews, however, many pupils described the SiS school as a place where they were given the opportunity to learn and develop. One pupil said that:

“I think it’s good that you can study things – I mean, learn things. I didn’t go to school much when I was living at home, so now I’ve got the chance to learn. It’s good for the future; you can get a job and things like that.”

Another pupil explained how attending school had boosted both their self-confidence and their optimism about the future:

“I used to be unable to read anything. Now I can read messages that my friends have written to me. I think the most important thing is to be able to read and write. That way, you can get by in society and look for a job.”

Martin Hugo believes that these pupils have great potential to develop when they receive the right support.

“There is a lot of negative talk and writing about the SiS homes in our society and in the media, but I must say that I am impressed by their educational programmes. To really see these vulnerable young people and to believe in them – that is a huge achievement,” says Martin.

“A fair picture”

One of the visitors at JU LIVE was David Bjurenfalk, who previously worked as a teacher at a SiS home.

“Until quite recently, I was a teacher at a SiS home and I know of Martin Hugo. I didn’t take part in the study myself, but my colleagues at the time did,” he says.

David has no regrets about coming to the University Library to listen.

“I think he gave a fair picture of the educational activities at the SiS homes – at least based on my own experience from when I worked there. I think that the pupils felt safe at the homes and at school, in contrast to their often chaotic lives before,” says David Bjurenfalk.

You can read the study in full here (Swedish). External link, opens in new window.

SiS provides youth care and substance abuse treatment on behalf of the Government. The agency operates 22 specialised youth homes. Read more about SiS here. External link, opens in new window.