Qualities and practices of professional social work leadership in an interdisciplinary mental health service : an action learning approach

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Authors

McNabb, David
Webster, M.

Author ORCID Profiles (clickable)

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9787-2168

Degree

Grantor

Date

2010-03

Supervisors

Type

Journal Article

Ngā Upoko Tukutuku (Māori subject headings)

Hauora hinengaro
Rangatira

Keyword

professional leadership
exemplary leadership
mental health

ANZSRC Field of Research Code (2020)

160701 Clinical Social Work Practice

Citation

McNabb, D., & Webster, M. (2010). Qualities and practices of professional social work leadership in an interdisciplinary mental health service: An action learning approach. Action Learning: Research and Practice, 7(1), 41-57. doi: 10.1080/14767330903576846

Abstract

Since the mid-1980s, health service restructuring in New Zealand has strengthened managerialism, arguably detracting from professional considerations. Professional leaders without line-management responsibilities have replaced social work departments headed by a professional social worker. An emerging social work contribution to interdisciplinary leadership in mental health settings aims to advance quality of service and fill social work leadership gaps resulting from structural changes created by health policy initiatives. In the context of limited research into these changes, this paper presents an action learning organic approach examining how social work professional leaders implemented Kouzes’ and Posner’s ‘exemplary leadership’ in a District Health Board. This examination integrates indigenous Māori approaches to leadership with Western models. Findings suggest both caution and optimism about the professional leader role. The paper suggests further research to explore the relationship of professional leadership and clinical governance in public health services.

Publisher

Taylor & Francis

Permanent link

https://hdl.handle.net/10652/1720

Link to ePress publication

DOI

10.1080/14767330903576846

Copyright holder

Taylor & Francis Group

Copyright notice

This is an electronic version of an article published in Action Learning: Research and Practice, 7(1), 41-57. Action Learning: Research and Practice is available at http://www. tandfonline.com/openurl?genre=article&issn=1476-7333&date=2010&volume=7&issue=1&spage=41

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Available online at

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/14767330903576846

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Social Practice Journal Articles