Samenvatting

This article introduces the concept of alliance in youth care. The concept of (therapeutic) alliance originates in adult psychotherapy and related research. Alliance refers to the working relationship between youth care workers and their clients. Within this concept, personal (emotional) and task related components can be discerned. The body of psychotherapy research suggests that a positive alliance is perhaps the most powerful predictor of a positive outcome of the collaboration between clients and care professionals. The question that arises there from is: does this also hold true for youth care? Firstly, this article provides a brief overview of alliance, based on the research in psychotherapy (where the concept was thoroughly analysed). Secondly the article gives an overview of alliance in youth care, researched by the Research Group for Key Factors in Youth Care. It is presented as a vital factor within the conceptual theoretical frame of the Integrative Change Factors (ICF) model for youth care. The concept of the ICF model is followed by a description of the development of the YCAS, an instrument to measure alliance in youth care. In conclusion the article reflects on goals for future research on the concept of alliance, aimed at assessing its importance for youth care provision and at providing professionals with valid tools to boost and uphold their alliance building and monitoring skills.