Abstract

Background: Vocational rehabilitation (VR) practitioners apply a diversity of approaches in order to promote persons with disabilities in VR; all of which depend on a strong working alliance with clients. However, in practice, clients and practitioners usually do not engage in an explicit exchange concerning the goals guiding the VR process. Empirical studies reveal a heterogeneity of goals for rehabilitants and practitioners (financers and service providers). These range from (re)integration into competitive employment to improving overall quality of life. Mismatches between stakeholders' goals can lead to differing assessments of VR success, creating cooperation problems. Aim: This paper examines how VR success is narratively framed by VR financers and by VR service providers, mapping out the diverging goals within these groups that point towards a variety of role perceptions. It juxtaposes their success narratives with the ones expressed by rehabilitants and explores conflicts emerging from assumptions about VR success. Methods: This study uses narrative analysis of interviews with three key stakeholder groups in VR: rehabilitants (85 interviews), VR service providers (31 interviews), and VR personnel in jobcenters and employment agencies responsible for VR financing (muss ich noch endgültig abklären). Results: The analysis reveals significant diversity in the understanding of VR success, even within stakeholder groups. While rehabilitants affirm the primary goal of (re)integration into competitive employment, they also emphasise further reaching goals such as gaining self-confidence or establishing and maintaining overall well-being. Practitioners' understandings of VR success vary depending on how they interpret their own role: service providers' narratives largely reflect holistic success concepts, shaped by the specific intervention objectives. In contrast, VR personnel tend to adopt economic success narratives focused on full-time labour market integration at the lowest possible cost (können wir das so sagen?). Conclusion: Increasing sensitivity to the potential heterogeneity of goals present in VR situations is a key opportunity to increase the success of VR through a strong working alliance. Differences in VR goals are not necessarily incommensurable: ‘Softer’ goals focusing on improving life quality can be understood not only as valuable in themselves, but also as pathways to stabilising and enhancing clients' employability and vice versa.