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.