‘You become a bit more of a person and a bit less of an institution’: How space shapes social relations in child welfare work in a local community

Abstract In contemporary Sweden, the centralisation of public services and redistribution of welfare resources from the public to private sectors have increased social and spatial inequality. While traditionally acknowledged in social work, space remains unexplored. This article examines the spatial dimension of child welfare, focusing on how space shapes social relations and local welfare infrastructures. Building on Holland’s research on spheres of actors in child welfare, it highlights material and subjective dimensions of space influencing social interactions. This study is part of a larger research project exploring the significance of location in child welfare services for collaboration and trust-building. Data were collected through individual interviews and focus group discussions and analysed using thematic analysis according to Braun and Clarke. Findings show how space shapes relationships through the embeddedness of formal and semi-formal actors in the local community and through these actors’ local knowledge of, familiarity with, and integration in everyday life. The article provides insights into what can be described as a distinct local welfare infrastructure enabling more localized and informal engagement in child welfare. These insights are crucial for both research and practice, highlighting the spatial consequences for families and professionals of how child welfare is organized.