The Role of Social Work Professional Supervision in Conditions of Uncertainty

Social Work Supervision Policies and Frameworks: Playing Notes or Making Music?

“…This also underlines the fact that a simple tick-box exercise about meeting standards and norms of a supervision framework and policy would not be successful in responding to the concerns of the beforementioned newly qualified social worker and seasoned supervisee in need of debriefing. Furthermore, Bourn and Hafford-Letchfield (2011) affirm that stress levels amongst managers may be higher than those of practitioners, supporting research done by Bradley et al (2010) in England, Sweden and South Africa. These supervisors may detract from quality practice owing to the potential neglect of their core functions.…”

Specialist Communication Skills for Social Workers

“…Certainly, some assessment methods have the capacity to elicit the integration of 'Knowing', 'Being' and 'Doing' in varying degrees. Those methods contain the integrative vision still, but the balance for learning productivity (Lambley and Marrable, 2012;Bogo et al, 2011a;Bogo et al, 2011b;Bourn and Hafford-Letchfield, 2011;Gibbs, 2001). The reforms have since placed standards upon employer organisations to ensure that effective supervision is provided regularly to social workers.…”

“…It could be argued that the use of recording in supervision for the assessment of developing capacity could restrict the 'space' and candid discussion required for critical reflection (Bourn and Hafford-Letchfield, 2011). It is a criticism raised of structured proformas which are used to guide the supervision process and ensure coverage of the tripartite functions to the supervisory role: educative function; supportive function; and managerial/administrative function (Kadushin and Harkness, 2002).…”

Putting you in the picture: the use of visual imagery in social work supervision

“…It is generally recognised that the content of social work supervision has become more action oriented and managerial than focused on welfare or support (Beddoe, 2010). Supervision also provides a conduit for mediating organisational culture (Bourn and Hafford-Letchfield, 2011) where tacit or taken-for-granted assumptions and beliefs in every-day practice can be challenged or allowed to surface. Supervision is also important for increasing staff participation and engagement in delivering quality services.…”