The life and times of the boundary spanner

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore, in some depth, the role and nature of boundary spanners – a dedicated cadre of people who operate within collaborative arenas; to identify the particular skills and competencies that they exhibit; and to reflect on the tensions and ambiguities that they face in their everyday work.

Design/methodology/approach

The author presents an analysis of the recent history of UK health and social care in relation to the role “boundary spanners” – a valuable and distinctive class of “actor”, operating within intra‐ and inter‐sectoral collaborative environments, including partnerships, alliances, networks, consortia and forms of integration.

Findings

Boundary spanners have a distinct role to play in managing the highly interdependent and collaborative arenas that are designed to manage health and social care, and they undertake this by deploying a range of competencies, supported by relevant knowledge, experience and personal attributes. The valuable role that boundary spanners play must be reflected in appropriate investment in their training and development.

Originality/value

Reflections are directed towards the training and development of boundary spanners as an important role in health and social care.

Citation

Williams, P. (2011), "The life and times of the boundary spanner", Journal of Integrated Care, Vol. 19 No. 3, pp. 26-33. https://doi.org/10.1108/14769011111148140