Fidelity evaluations in the implementation of evidence-based social work – a necessary evil under the right circumstances? A case study from Danish job centres

The IPS Fidelity Scale is a central key in implementing Individual Placement and Support (IPS). As IPS is increasingly introduced in Denmark, fidelity evaluations become an important aspect of Danish public employment services (PES). Although high fidelity scores are associated with improved program outcomes, evaluations also introduce challenges for frontline social work in Danish job centres. This article examines how fidelity evaluations are perceived by frontline supervisors and middle managers and how these perceptions are shaped by organisational context. The analysis is based on repeated semi-structured interviews conducted over a five-year period in three job centres, combined with annual fidelity reviews and municipal action plans. In line with previous literature, we show how fidelity evaluations assume the role of both control and learning in everyday practice. Fidelity helps legitimise the evidence-based method when introduced into traditional service settings and acts as a stabilising force in an organisational context marked by shifting circumstances. Perceptions are shaped by organisational and contextual conditions, illustrating the complex role of fidelity in practice. The article demonstrates how fidelity evaluations support the sustainability of new practices while allowing for necessary adaptations. It conceptualises fidelity as a ‘necessary evil’ that simultaneously enforces compliance and facilitates development.