Betydningen af relationel ledelse for praksis og samarbejde omkring tidlige forebyggende indsatser: En kvalitativ undersøgelse af den fremskudte socialrådgiverordning i dagtilbud i Holstebro Kommune

In recent years, Danish municipalities have undergone a reorganization towards a more effective and early intervention among vulnerable children and young people. The school- and day care social worker program serves a as good example of how this reorganization has been implemented in practice. The overarching objective of the reorganization is that early intervention can prevent worsening of problems that are still mild. According to The National Board of Social Services this goal can be achieved by securing a common language, understanding and practice between professionals. Thus, the national strategy is to enhance the interprofessional collaboration on a common task: early pre-ventive intervention regarding vulnerable children and young people.

However, the literature in the field of professions suggests that attaining a common practice and an efficient collaboration can be challenging. Leadership is frequently identified as one of the most critical determinants in enhancing organizational performance and goal attainment. Drawing on the literature regarding leadership, professions and collaboration, this thesis aims to investigate the importance of relational leadership on the professional practice and interprofessional collaboration in the context of early preventive interventions. The study uses a combination of 14 semi-structured interviews with pedagogues and day care social workers and two vertical constructed vignettes to examine this research question.

The analysis supports the theoretical expectation that the degree of perceived relational leadership is positively related to the interprofessional collaboration. Furthermore, the analysis provides partial support for the expectation that the degree of perceived relational leadership is positively associated with uniformity in professional practice. Overall, the empirical findings suggest that relational leadership is a promising leadership concept within the context of common task solving across professionals. Therefore, this study recommends that public leaders consider how they frame, engage and involve employees when the task requires collaboration among professionals.