Making the transition from practitioner to supervisor: reflections on the contribution made by a post-qualifying supervisory course

Abstract

Acknowledgments:The ideas presented in the article are developed from teaching on a post-qualifying course for managers and supervisors in Scotland's social services. Thanks are due to course participants for their engagement, commitment and contribution. 2 AbstractWithin Scotland, as elsewhere, there has been a resurgence of interest in the critical role of supervision within social work practice. Notwithstanding this interest, those making the transition from practitioner to supervisor still commonly report feeling unprepared for their changing role and position and uncertain about what it entails. This paper will explore our experiences of delivering an accredited post-qualifying supervision course since 2008 to professionals from different sectors, diverse professional backgrounds, and with varying levels of supervisory experience. Amongst other things, the course provides time and space to think about the different elements of supervision, and to consider how these translate into day to day practice.In this paper, we will argue that having the opportunity to explore the complexity of the supervisory task, while learning from and with peers, is an important part of making the transition in professional role and identity. Moreover, in organisational contexts where the reflective space which supervision can provide may feel under threat, and where the focus on people who use services can at times be lost, professional staff undertaking supervision training describe feeling more confident and competent in their role, including a renewed commitment both to uphold the value of supervision as a time for reflection, and to sustain a clear emphasis on people who use services within the supervisory process.

Workplace Learning in the Contemporary Supervision Landscape: The Case of Supervision in a Social Service Organisation

“…By their nature, social service organisations are complex systems with unique aspects related to supervision transition. For instance, Patterson and Whincup (2018) assert that as social service supervisors transition into their new roles, they are required to navigate from familiar to unfamiliar settings. Parker (2014:24) asserts that "the supervisor-supervisee relationship can be of a professional or anti-discriminatory nature" and adds that an anti-discriminatory approach as significant in South Africa, "as it is likely that the supervisor and supervisee are from different cultural or religious backgrounds".…”

“…Goliath (2018) found that transitioning from the level of a social work practitioner to the supervision level raises significant challenges. Patterson and Whincup (2018) also assert that enhancing an understanding of the supervisory task provides the incumbents with the capacity to sustain active and reflective supervision in the face of conflicting demands.…”