Social work supervision in child and family services: Developing a working theory of how and why it works

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:Does social work supervision work? Social work academics and others have argued repeatedly that we need to focus more attention on understanding whether and how supervision helps improve outcomes for people who use services. As things stand, we currently have little evidence either way-and although the absence of evidence is not evidence of absence, this is far from an ideal situation. APPROACH:Taking inspiration from realist approaches to evaluation, this article sets out an initial working theory of social work supervision for child and family services, developed from an analysis of six significant reviews of the supervision literature. Each review was analysed to identify key contexts, mechanisms and outcomes for supervision. CONCLUSION:Notable gaps within the theory are identified in relation to workers, outcomes for children and families and how supervision can promote a rights-based approach. The article concludes by arguing that this working theory offers the basis for future evaluative studies of supervision.

Supervision as a secure base: the role of attachment theory within the emotional and psycho-social landscape of social work supervision

“…However, several authors criticise the supervision process in England for being largely managerialist and compliance focused, as a means for managers to control or instruct supervisees (eg. BASW, 2011;Beddoe et al, 2021;Davys and Beddoe, 2010;Wilkins, 2019), with more emphasis on the administrative function and less on the others. Despite this, within a context for encouraging reflective supervision, it is suggested that the support function has a role in providing containment (Ruch, 2007(Ruch, , 2012 and processing social workers' emotions (Davys and Beddoe, 2010;Ferguson, 2005;Morrison, 2007;Morrison and Wonnacott, 2010;Ruch, 2012;Wilkins, 2019).…”

“…BASW, 2011;Beddoe et al, 2021;Davys and Beddoe, 2010;Wilkins, 2019), with more emphasis on the administrative function and less on the others. Despite this, within a context for encouraging reflective supervision, it is suggested that the support function has a role in providing containment (Ruch, 2007(Ruch, , 2012 and processing social workers' emotions (Davys and Beddoe, 2010;Ferguson, 2005;Morrison, 2007;Morrison and Wonnacott, 2010;Ruch, 2012;Wilkins, 2019). This aspect of social work supervision aligns to the key purpose of psychotherapy supervision, which is to collaboratively think t about the work and to develop the supervisee's use of self as an analytic instrument within their practice (Watkins, 2014).…”

Creating the conditions for collective curiosity and containment: insights from developing and delivering reflective groups with social work supervisors

“…Over the past 10 years, research and literature pertaining to social work supervision in general has developed into a substantive body of knowledge (Beddoe and Wilkins, 2019;Wilkins, 2019). In comparison, research and literature focusing on the continuous professional development of supervisors is sparse.…”

“…For most practice supervisors, their day to day experience within the workplace is fast paced and stressful. Case management systems mainly measure -quantify -whether a task has been completed, as opposed to considerqualify -how the task was undertaken (Wilkins et al, 2017;Wilkins, 2019). Programme participants often give examples of the harsh, disrespectful milieus in which they work and have also spoken about their own need to 'tell off' their staff in relation to performance.…”