This book is a response to the felt need of social work practitioners for professional supervision. Reflecting on the social work profession in the context of contemporary socio-economic and political challenges and wide-ranging organizational and practice settings, the book provides a voice for supervisors to share their experiences.
Social workers often deal with difficult, undefined and unique human situations where there are no ready-made solutions or quick fixes. This constant and complex working process can cause stress, burnout and affect their quality of work and judgement if they are not supported appropriately and in a timely way. One such support to them is offering professional supervision to enhance their professional functioning and their quality of service. On the one hand, the narratives of experienced supervisors reveal critical dilemmas, core processes and content, expectations, issues posed, and concepts and theories employed in professional supervision, and on the other, the wisdom and qualities of supervisors. This book analyzes concepts and models employed by supervisors and the complex interaction of their qualities and wisdom that arise from their narratives. It underscores the supervisee's being through integrating the personal and professional self to deliver better quality services to people, agencies, and communities. The book argues that the current trends compel action for well thought through professional supervision for all who need it. Those interested in professional supervision – supervisees, practitioners, and supervisors – will benefit from reading this book.
Enlightening Professional Supervision in Social Work: Voices and Virtues of Supervisors is the resource that both supervisors and practitioners need to create safe environments to carefully reflect, develop knowledge, sharpen skills and effectively engage in practice. It will improve services to clients and organizational service provision, and not only benefit both practitioners and supervisors in social work and human services, but also social work educators and students, social policy administrators as well as managers and trainers in the social services sector.
Author(s): Manohar Pawar, A .W. (Bill) Anscombe
Publisher: Springer
Year: 2022
Language: English
Pages: 269
City: Cham
Acknowledgments
Contents
About the Authors
Chapter 1: Professional Supervision: An Introduction
Introduction
Professional Supervision in Professional Social Work
Motivation for Writing This Book
Rationale for and Significance of Professional Supervision in Social Work
Concept, Nature, Types, and the Main Features of Professional Supervision
Professional Supervision for Student Social Workers
Post-qualification Practice Supervision
Supervision by the Line-Management/Administration
Group Supervision
Peer Supervision
Supervision in the Tertiary Sector
Independent Supervision
Mentoring
Coaching
Some Basic Principles
Mode of Supervision
The Role of Professional Bodies
Objectives of the Book
Research Methods Followed
Organization of the Book
Conclusion and Summary
References
Chapter 2: Changes and Challenges in Social Work: Implications for Professional Supervision
Introduction
Social Work as a Global Profession
The Promise and Politics of Social Work
Changes and Challenges
Colonization, Neocolonization, and Decolonization
Deprofessionalization
Populism, Nationalism, and Welfare Chauvinism
Digitalization and Online Trends
The Sustainable Development Goals, Climate Change, and Disasters
Implications for Professional Supervision in Social Work
Conclusion and Summary
References
Chapter 3: Contexts of Supervision: Organizations and Practice Settings
Introduction
Organizational Context
Government Organizations
Non-government Organizations (NGOs)
Not-for-Profit NGOs
For-Profit NGOs
Faith-Based Organizations
Social Enterprises
Philanthropies/Trusts/Foundations
Corporate Social Responsibility-Oriented Organizations
International NGOs
Multilateral Organizations
Social Work Practice Settings
Social Protection and Security
Health and Hospitals
Private Practice
Child Welfare and Protection
Family/Domestic Violence
School Social Work
Corrections
Community
Research Leading to Advocacy and Policy
Rural and Remote
Line-Management Versus Non-line-Management Professional Supervision in Organizational and Practice Settings
Conclusion and Summary
References
Chapter 4: Models of Professional Supervision in Social Work
Introduction
Purpose- and Goal-Based Models
Path-Based Models
A Line-Management Supervision Model
A Non-line-Management Supervision Model
A Mixed Model of Line and Non-line-Management Supervision
A Contract Model of Supervision
A Model of Supervision in Private Practice
Digital/Online Supervision Models
Casework, Clinical Practice, and Therapy-Oriented Supervision Models
A Reflective Learning Model of Supervision
Peer Group Supervision Models
Group Supervision Models
A Model of Systemic Supervision
Portfolio Model of Supervision
An Appreciative Supervision Model
A Cultural Competency Supervision Model
A Critical Conversations Model of Supervision
Feminist Supervision Models
The Integration of Purpose and Path-Based Models
A Comprehensive Model of Social Work Supervision
The Four Stakeholders
The Cultural Context
The Purpose/Goals of Supervision
Streams of Relationships
Supervisory Process
Supervisory Outcome
Evidence-Informed Model of Social Work Supervision
Conclusion and Summary
References
Chapter 5: Critical Dilemmas and Challenges in Professional Supervision
Introduction
Line-Management Supervision Versus Non-line-Management (External) Supervision
Difference Between Line-Management and Non-line-Management Professional Supervision
Supervision in Private Practice
Face-to-Face Supervision Versus Digital Supervision
Difference Between Social Workers and Non-social Workers and New and Experienced Supervisees
The Role of Professional Bodies
The Issue of Teaching/Developing Qualities/Character
Conclusion and Summary
References
Chapter 6: The Process, Essentials, and Content of Professional Supervision
Introduction
The General Process of Supervision Sessions
Supervisee-Focused Open, Flexible, Informal, and Conversational
Clarification of Expectations
Recapitulating
Structured/Contracted
Supervisee-Led
Two-Way Process
Task/Issue/Goal-Focused
Reflective
Essentials of Professional Supervision
Being Clear at the Beginning
Focus on Practice/Work
Balancing Between Work Issues and Private Issues
Focus on Workplace Context
Focus on Reflection
Focus on Positives/Strengths
Professional Development
Identifying Themes/Issues
Focus on Values and Ethics/Links to Professional Ethics
Accountability/Responsibility
Offering Support
Being Present/Listening
Sharing Own Experience
Empathy
Relationship and Trust
Asking Curious Questions
Using Theory, Sharing Resources
The Main Theme or Core Content of Professional Supervision
Self-Care/Safety for the Worker and the Client
Maintaining Boundaries
Personal Issues
Difficulties with and Conflicts Around the Organization
Client/Practice Issues
Feeling of Inadequacy in Work Performance
Critical Reflection
Modeling Values
Professional Identity
Learning/Training and the Future
Conclusion and Summary
References
Chapter 7: Supervisors’ Expectations
Introduction
Supervisors’ Perceptions of Supervisees’ Expectations from Supervision
Availability, Support, and Respect
Space for Ventilation/Debriefing
Have a Plan, Direction, or Advice
Have Answers and Problem-Solving
Learn Something More than What They Know
Facilitate Reflection
Looking for Affirmation
Providing a Different Perspective
Honest Feedback and Understanding
Accountability and Continuity
Therapy and Counseling
Do Not Know What to Expect
Expectations of Supervisors from Supervisees
Come Prepared and Bring Agenda Items for the Meeting
Follow-Up from the Previous Meeting
Talk About Issues from Various Angles
Discuss Ethical Dilemmas
Aware of Issues, Disclose Concerns, Defend Practice, and Disagree
To Be Reflective
Vision and Responsibility
Take Risks and Have Passion
Punctual
Take Supervision Seriously and Value It
Tell Truth/Be Honest
Focus on Supervision, Do Not Bring Other Agendas
Link Supervision to Performance Appraisal
Conclusion and Summary
References
Chapter 8: Issues Posed in Professional Supervision
Introduction
Issues Supervisees Present in the Supervision
Issues Relating to the Organizational Context
Change Management and Structural Issues
Value Conflicts
Shortage of Staff and Work Stress
Staff and Team Interpersonal Issues
Issues Relating to Clients/Practice
Personal Care Issues Relating to Clients
Complex Case Issues
Community Practice
Making Decisions
Recovery Focus
Client and Practice-Related Stress
Reflection on Practice
Maintaining Boundaries/Rural Context
Work Performance Issues
Skill Development
Theoretical Frameworks
Personal Issues
Recognizing Good Work
Conclusion and Summary
References
Chapter 9: Concepts and Theories Employed in Supervision
Introduction
Conceptual and/or Theoretical Approaches Used in Supervision
Reflective Practice/Critical Reflection Framework
Adult Learning
Kolb’s Learning Cycle
Task-Focused Instructional Theory
Systems Theory
Kadushin Model/PASE Model
Four Domains Approach to Supervision
Middleman and Goldberg’s Model/Holistic Model
Margaret Morrell’s Framework
Postmodernism
A Strengths-Based Perspective
Anti-oppressive Framework
Social Constructionist Approach
Feminist Framework/Gender Perspective
Narrative Therapy
Family Therapy
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy
Psychodynamic Lens
Cognitive Behavior Therapy
Crisis Intervention
Supervisee-Led Model
Family Approach
Best Practice
Eclectic Approach
Conclusion and Summary
References
Chapter 10: The Use of Practice Wisdom in Supervision
Introduction
Use of Practice Wisdom by Supervisors
Experience
Sharing Relevant Experience of Supervisors
Reflecting on and Learning from Your Experience
Sharing What Has Not Worked—Humility
Appropriate Self-Disclosure
Practice Wisdom Statements
“We Cannot be Good at Everything”
“The Story That a Person Tells About Their Experience is not the Experience. It’s a Story They Tell About It”
“Not Just Jump In, Think”
“Listen to the Gut, But Look for Evidence to Support It”
“Open to Being Challenged”
“Focus on the Person, not Tasks Alone”
“If in Doubt, Throw Them Out”
“There is no Perfect Theory”
Supervision Practice Principles or Techniques
Start with Their (Supervisees’) Experience
Active Listening
Never Say “I Know How You Feel”
Acknowledging and Validating
Do Not Get Bogged Down to One Thing; in Crisis, Look for Opportunities
Don’t Bring Too Much of Yourself in; It Is Not About You
Ask Hard Questions
Upside-Down Brainstorm—Discussing the Opposites
Conclusion and Summary
References
Chapter 11: The Use of Virtues or Qualities in Supervision
Introduction
Social Workers’ Qualities Perceived by Supervisors
Finding Their Own Answers/Self-Determination
Strengths-Based Thinking
Being Non-judgmental, Human Rights, Empowerment
Honesty, Accountability, and Trust
Patience, Tolerance, Understanding, and Care
Compassion
Good Relationships/Links to the Wider World
Shared Learning
Inherent Personal Traits and Characteristics
Developing Supervisees’ Virtues/Qualities in Supervision
Using Strengths of Supervisees
Be Open and Honest and Non-judgmental
Experiential Learning, Reflection, Non-judgmental, Good Listening, and Observing
Developing Clarity About Issues and Decision-Making
Affirming Braveness
Warmth and Power
Reassuring/Building Confidence
Humor
Gentleness
Capacity to Face Challenges and Make Difficult Decisions
Conclusion and Summary
References
Chapter 12: Developing Supervisees’ Being
Introduction
Supervisee Being as a Person and Professional Social Worker
Person and Professional Being Are Intertwined
Focusing Only on the Professional Being Is Mechanical
Essential to Integrate the Personal and Professional
Gray Area
Developing Being of Supervisees
Role Modeling Oneself
Talk About Supervisees’ Qualities
Creating a Safe Environment
Encouragement to Discuss Discordant Views
Discussing Family Value Conflicts and Influences
Demonstrating Care
Comparing Previous Situations
Linking to the Code of Ethics and Career Goal Planning
Weighing Up Between Legal Being and Human Being
Assigning the Case that Goes Well with the Worker
Preventing Core Value Conflict Situations and Settings
Attending to Personal and Professional Issues
Seeking Additional External Support
Conclusion and Summary
References
Chapter 13: Action for Professional Supervision
Introduction
Professional Supervision and Voices and Virtues of Social Workers
Tacit Development of Virtues/Qualities in Supervision
Limitations of the Study and Future Research
The Main Trends in the Dynamics of Professional Supervision
Mainly Focused on Accredited Training and Clinical Practice
Inconsistency in Organizations and Line-Management Approaches
Influence of Neoliberalism and New Managerialism
Private Practice and External Supervision
Professional Bodies and Supervision Standards
Organizations and Practitioners Without Professional Supervision
Professional Supervision as an Emerging Area of Practice
The Need for Professional Supervision
Coordinated Action for Professional Supervision
References
Index
