Diverging and converging perceptions in legitimising policy advocacy: social work advocates and policymakers at the local level: Insights from social work advocates and policymakers in six flemish municipalities

This study examines the legitimacy of strategies employed by social work advocacy organisations in six Flemish municipalities, focusing on the perceptions of both policymakers and social work advocates. Using a qualitative approach, we analysed interview data to identify areas of alignment and divergence in legitimacy expectations. The findings reveal that legitimacy expectations among the two groups align when referring to structured direct lobbying and roundtable discussions. Diverging perceptions appear in relation to protests and confrontational media campaigns. Two notable ‘gaps’ in legitimacy expectations emerge: advocates insist on the use of testimonial advocacy, which is valued by policymakers but only conditionally. Policymakers strongly endorse policy feedback sessions, which advocates critique as tokenistic and not inclusive. Applying a dyadic legitimacy model, we demonstrate how these perceptions shape strategic agency in social work advocacy, thereby contributing to the understanding of the complex interplay between collaborative governance norms, stakeholder expectations, and advocacy effectiveness in municipal welfare policymaking.