Collaboration or facade? : A qualitative study about the collaboration between social service administrators within the municipality around persons with dual diagnosis

The aim of the study was to investigate how social service administrators collaborate around persons that has dual diagnosis. In this study, we refer to people with mental disabilities along with addiction problems. We have used a qualitative method and collected our material using semi-structured interviews. The theoretical framework we have used to interpret the degree of collaboration is Ann Boklund's model of collaboration. We also proceed from Ervin Goffman's dramaturgical perspective to interpret parts of the material. The material is divided into two main categories: collaboration between social service administrators and the prerequisites for collaboration. The result shows that the collaborative process can vary and is linked together to how the administrators communicate, were they are geographically placed, and how well they know each other. The result also shows that there is a lack of guidelines and a common approach to collaboration issues. The obstacles to collaboration that was raised by the interviewees were the confidentiality, delegation succession and problems that may arise when the chemistry between the administrators doesn’t work. The conclusion in our study is that the administrators see there is a need for collaboration and a comprehensive view when it comes to persons with dual diagnosis, but also that there is lack of guidelines to direct collaboration. When guidelines are lacking, it’s up to each administrator to decide when and if a collaboration is needed