It is a central feature of current Norwegian health and social care policyto see informal carers as active partners. However, research has revealedthat carers often experience a lack of recognition by professionals. In2010, the Norwegian Directorate of Health initiated a web-basedcompetence-building programme (CBP) for health and social carepractitioners aimed at facilitating collaboration with carers. Theprogramme comprised case presentations, e-lectures, exercises and topicsfor discussion, and was introduced in 2012. It was flexible and free ofcharge. This article is based on a study (2012–2013) that followed thepiloting of this CBP in four settings. The study aimed to explore factorsthat influenced the implementation of the programme and whether or notusing it affected health and social care practitioners’ attitudes andperceived capacity for collaboration with carers. The study employed amixed-methods design. A questionnaire was distributed to all staff beforeand 5 months after the CBP was introduced, followed by focus groupinterviews with a sample of staff members and individual interviewswith the leadership in the involved settings and those who introducedthe programme. The quantitative data were analysed using descriptivestatistics, which subsequently formed the basis for the focus groupinterviews. The qualitative data were analysed by means of contentanalysis. The programme’s introduction was similar across all researchsettings. Nevertheless, whether or not it was adopted depended to a largeextent on leadership commitment and engagement. In settings where theprogramme’s use was monitored, supported by management and formedpart of on-the-job training, there seemed to be a positive impact on staffattitudes concerning collaboration with carers. Participant staff reportedthat their awareness of, motivation for and confidence in collaborationwith carers were all strengthened. In contrast, the programme was ofminimal benefit in settings with low leadership engagement.