De werkwereld van ontwikkelcoaches: een pluralistische casusstudie

The case study aims to systematically describe the work world of a specific group of professionals – from the perspective of the professionals themselves – who are offering ambulatory counselling to clients with autism spectrum disorders at the intersection of the domains of (youth)care, mental (youth)care and welfare and who take a pioneering role because they practice their profession based on an inclusive interpretation of the ideal of participation and integration, and use a matching idiographic-relational counselling method. The research question is:

How do professionals who meet the characteristics mentioned in the objective describe their work world?

A pluralistic form of research has been conducted. The Grounded Theory was the leading approach. The narrative and discursive psychology have been used as frameworks to find additional, enriching labels and categories. 15 professionals are interviewed.

The results confirms that reflection on solutions for the tension fields experienced at the intersection of the three domains requires a focus on the complex and dynamic nature of social reality, social policy and (social) professions, including the consequences this entails for the professional practice of (social) professionals, the scope for development of their clients and the achievement of the ideal of participation and integration. In addition, the importance of reflecting on and making explicit ideological reference frameworks becomes evident, certainly with a view to resolving and/or adopting an alternative approach to the areas of tension experienced. At an operational level, the outline can contribute to the evaluation and reflection of (social) professionals on their professional practice. At a policy level, it can contribute to thinking, knowledge-sharing and policy development with regard to the professional practice of (social) professionals.