Towards a Social service University – collaboration between practice and academia.

This collaboration project aims to develop structures and routines for knowledge dissemination and learning within a municipal Social Services department.

By implementing four activities that all share the common goal of merging practice and academia, the aim is to create a framework for a Social Services University. This will be crucial in the reform efforts for a new Social Services Act.

In addition to contributing to organizational development and innovation, the overarching goal of the project is to improve the living conditions of citizens.

The four activities are:Research Podcast - dissemination and implementation of knowledgeResearch in the Social services - systematic documentation and monitoringResearch Seminars - management meetings as a platform for knowledge dissemination, implementation, and learningFrom Reference Group to Steering Committee - exploring leadership systems for collaboration in a future Social Services University.The importance of developing structures for active learning in municipal Social Services has never been greater.

Significant societal challenges, combined with an upcoming new Social Services Act, highlight this need.

The new law designates and places higher demands on knowledge-based Social Services, aligning with the increased societal discussion about the importance of relevant knowledge in the context of Social Services work. Adapting to a new Social Services Act has been described as a reform, necessitating a comprehensive transformation.

Work in all areas of Social Services should be knowledge based where evidence based knowledge is a guiding principle. To enable this transition, the government is proposing a significant investment in competence and staffing.

For this investment and the allocation of significant resources to be done in a credible and relevant manner, it is of the utmost importance to build structures for knowledge and learning. Without organizational anchoring, there is a risk that this becomes a superficial effort without a deep impact.

Societal challenges will change and take new forms, but what remains constant is the existence of these challenges.

To address current and future challenges, it is of the utmost importance that Social Services departments develop routines for capturing and disseminating knowledge.

This needs to happen internally within the organization as well as externally to share good practices and critical lessons learned.