Variable and Vague Implementation: A Qualitative Study on Municipalities’ Use of the National Guide for Services for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities in Norway

The national guide ‘Good Health and Care Services for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities’ was launched in 2021, the first of its kind in Norway. This study aimed to explore municipalities’ awareness, understanding, and use of this guide. Focus group interviews were conducted with unit managers, first-line managers, and frontline employees. A total of 39 people from 13 municipalities participated. Findings indicate weak and unsystematic implementation, with varying levels of awareness, typically higher at managerial levels. While participants across service levels acknowledged the relevance of the guide, few had established structured approaches for applying it. The involvement of people with intellectual disabilities and their families was limited. These findings suggest the need for clearer national follow-up and regular supervision of implementation.