Supervisory Experiences of Social Workers in Child Protection Services

Abstract

Social work in the child protection field presents an opportunity to positively transform the lives and future of vulnerable children, but frequently at a cost to the mental health and well-being of the social workers concerned. Social workers must constantly manage children’s trauma, resource challenges and parents’ emotions. Providing supervision to social workers is mandatory in the social work profession. Although there are three functions of supervision, it is argued that the support function is neglected in favour of the administrative and educational functions of supervision. The support function of supervision aims to equip social workers to manage their work-related stress especially in the field of child protection. In light of the literature reviewed on the benefits of the support function of supervision juxtaposed with contrasting anecdotal evidence that suggests a neglect of the support function of supervision in practice, a qualitative study was undertaken in South Africa with the aim of enhancing the understanding of the experiences of social workers in child protection services in respect of the support function of supervision. The study’s major finding pointed to an absence of the support function in supervision. Child protection social workers experienced a need for continuing professional development to increase their competence and reduce burnout. The findings also highlighted the value of peer support as a significant experience in child protection work. It was concluded that organisational compliance with the minimum standards set out in the Supervision Framework of the Department of Social Development, in partnership with the South African Council for Social Service Professions, and the inclusion of peer mentoring could contribute significantly in enhancing the mental health and well-being of child protection social workers.

Resilience of Social Auxiliary Workers: Defined by Strengths and Coping Abilities

“…Therefore, it should be viewed as being crucial to the practice of social work (McFadden, 2018). Supervision of social auxiliary workers is structured according to the same model of supervision for social workers and must fulfil the three functions of supervision: the supportive function, educational function and administrative function (Armour, 2018;Dan, 2017;DSD & SACSSP, 2012;Kadushin & Harkness, 2014;van Breda, 2018;Vetfuti, Goliath & Perumal, 2019). Neglect of these functions results in deteriorating staff development (Chibaya, 2018;Engelbrecht, 2014).…”

An ally or an enemy? Developing a trusting relationship between supervisor and supervisee

“…In South Africa, the administrative function of supervision has been cited as one of the major contributing factors to burnout and the neglect of the supportive and educational function of supervision (Mamaleka, 2018;Vetfuti, Goliath & Perumal, 2019). In terms of policy directives by the South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP), supervisors are directed by policy guidelines for code of conduct, code of ethics and the rules for social workers to supervise and evaluate the performance of registered social workers on social work matters in a fair and respectful manner.…”

“…The supportive function of supervision is crucial in deepening a safe and trusting relationship between supervisor and supervisee (Vetfuti et al, 2019;Wong Yuh Ju, 2014). Yet the issue of supportive supervision is largely absent in the literature.…”

“…Supportive supervision recognises the need to build constructive relationships that will eventually create positive change within the supervision process (Nuttgens & Chang, 2013;Wong Yuh Ju, 2014). Vetfuti et al, (2019) found that current supervision practices do not adequately meet social workers' needs for support, and therefore advocated for prioritisation of this function. The strategies used for the supportive function of supervision involve providing affirmation and allowing space for emotional expression and honesty when engaging with the supervisee (Kadushin & Harkness, 2014).…”

Social Work Practitioners’ and Supervisors' Conceptualisation of Supervision at the Department of Social Development, King Cetshwayo District: A Polity Dualism

“…A growing body of literature suggests that social work supervision is mainly conceptualised in terms of the administrative function, which emphasises accountability and managerialism. The prioritisation of the administrative function of supervision by social work supervisors stems from the focus on managerial rather than professional supervision and compromises the quality of supervision provided to the supervisees (Engelbrecht, 2013;Sithole & Shokane, 2023;Vetfuti, Goliath & Perumal, 2019).…”