This thesis examines the poorest residential area in the capital Copenhagen, Denmark, where vulnerable families live. The investigation is based upon a case study and on qualitative interviews with two leaders from the self-governing institution Sjakket. For 20 years, Sjakket has worked with children and young people and their families from socially disadvantaged residential areas, primarily from the housing area Mjølnerparken, and later from all over Copenhagen. The interviews were all conducted with a qualitative semi-structured interview guide; however, some were based on conversations with or by conversation by mail. Sjakket is a social pedagogical inclusion project aimed at children and young people and their parents. The methods are holistic with a focus on early intervention, positive communities and helping parents to understand Danish values. The overall goal of Sjakket is for the young people to take an education and for the parents to become integrated into society as well as to prevent young people at risk of crime. And relevant is, how do the leaders argue that their early prevention efforts are important for children and young people. The focus is on using cultures, languages, traditions and at the same time thinking about the potential of the individual.

Keywords: Social work. Early intervention. Ethnic minorities. Integration. Ghetto areas. Delinquency. Cultures. Tradition. Intercultural communication. Social pedagogy.