För att skapa en relation behöver man bygga upp ett förtroende

: En kvalitativ studie om relationers betydelse i specialpedagogens roll som handledare

Abstract

In this study, we examine special educationals needs co-ordinators (SENCO) thoughts about the importance of relationships in their role as coaches for teachers. We also explore relational factors that promote good collaboration with teachers. Our theoretical foundation is relational pedagogy and the study is based on both Swedish and international research in the subject. The research method method we use is qualitative, semi-structured interviews with five SENCOs in school and preschool. The results of the interviews are compiled and presented based on four themes that we have found in the answers from the SENCOs. In the content analysis and interpretation of the results, is based on our chosen theory, relational pedagogy, and in our discussion is based on literature on perspectives on coaching and previous research on relational competence in coaching situations. The results of our study highlight that all SENCOs emphasize that good relations between them and the educators they coach are an important part of their work. Furthermore, the results indicate that dialogue and conversation are crucial for creating relationships. Creating trust, being humble, encouraging, responsive, listening, curious, clear, respecting each other and being genuinely interested in what educators have to say, are some relational factors that SENCO consider important to master in creating and building relationships with teachers they coach. A conclusion drawn in the study is that for a SENCO building relations means a combination between ontological and instrumental relationship orientation (Kullenberg & Eksath, 2017) and a combination of "the interpersonal" and "the social" in relationships (Bubers teori i Aspelin, 2016). That is, relationships are built and maintained by the SENCOs being accommodating and through spontaneous conversations where you get to know each other in a personal and natural way. At the same time, they believe that you have to be clear, make some boundaries and show each other respect. Here, the SENCOs work purposefully to create relationships with the aim of having a good collaboration with the teachers to find solutions for their common students.