Research on the relationship between supervisor and social work interns in China: A Shanghai case study

Abstract

This study examines the supervisor–intern relationship within social work practices in Shanghai. Recorded conversations between interns and field supervisors were analyzed using qualitative research methods to determine the key characteristics of the supervisory relationship and the factors that shape them. In a supervisory relationship, both parties co-establish a ‘win-win’, ‘casual’, and ‘tactful’ connection that not only has profound cultural effects, but is also affected by the current professional development of social work in China. Since social work supervision is a newly emerging practice in China, the findings of this analysis are pioneering and are discussed in relation to the future development of supervision in China.

Supervision of Chinese social work students during field practice: Harmonising a student-focused, egalitarian approach with traditional teaching and learning

“…The mitigation of this potential difficulty partly explains the reason for the adoption of a collaborative approach in field supervision in our study. As proposed in An and Szto’s (2019: 194) study, supervisors should encourage students as ‘carriers of textbook knowledge’ and supervisors as ‘practical knowledge user’ to bring their respective knowledge to supervision. However, there is a challenge to overcome because of the hierarchical student–teacher relationship based on Confucian thought.…”