Privatisation as professionalisation? Attitudes, motives and achievements among Swedish social workers

Supervision: A force for change? Three stories told

“…The quest for independent supervision has been largely successful in respect of numbers who receive supervision. In 2002 76% of all practising social workers had supervision, and in the area of child welfare the numbers exceed 90% (Dellgran and Höjer, 2005). Botha (2002), one of the founders of supervision training and practice in South Africa, concludes that research in supervision in this country is not comprehensive.…”

“…It is most common in child welfare agencies, and least common in social work with older people and in work with disabilities (Dellgran and Höjer, 2005). The call for external supervision also triggered the start of specific postgraduate education in supervision for social workers, with the aim to have social workers supervised by those qualified in both social work and in the supervision of social workers.…”

“…They charge considerable fees with the result that most of the budget for continuing professional development in social work services is spent on external supervision. A supervisor of many groups earns more than a social work middle manager and the aspiration to become a supervisor is high amongst social workers (Dellgran and Höjer, 2005).…”

“…One important element that stretches over three semesters is that of being supervised as a supervisor conducting supervision (known as meta-supervision). This normally horizontal career move attracts social workers with longer experience, more formal education and with a commitment and interest in research (Dellgran and Höjer, 2005).…”

‘Lost in transition?’ – Newly educated social workers’ reflections on their first months in practice

“…In Sweden, most social workers are employed in the statutory social welfare sector (Dellgran & Höjer, 2005). Three of the new graduates were employed in the same organisation where they undertook their field placement.…”