Diverging and converging perceptions in legitimising policy advocacy: social work advocates and policymakers at the local level

This study examines the legitimacy of strategies employed by social workadvocacy organisations in six Flemish municipalities, focusing on theperceptions of both policymakers and social work advocates. Using aqualitative approach, we analysed interview data to identify areas ofalignment and divergence in legitimacy expectations. The findingsreveal that legitimacy expectations among the two groups align whenreferring to structured direct lobbying and roundtable discussions.Diverging perceptions appear in relation to protests and confrontationalmedia campaigns. Two notable ‘gaps’ in legitimacy expectationsemerge: advocates insist on the use of testimonial advocacy, which isvalued by policymakers but only conditionally. Policymakers stronglyendorse policy feedback sessions, which advocates critique as tokenisticand not inclusive. Applying a dyadic legitimacy model, we demonstratehow these perceptions shape strategic agency in social work advocacy,thereby contributing to the understanding of the complex interplaybetween collaborative governance norms, stakeholder expectations,and advocacy effectiveness in municipal welfare policymaking