However, from my experience, Wonnacott’s (2012) Supervision Model promotes critical analysis/reflection within an organisational context/framework. It’s ‘style’ will often result in the development of professional self-doubt, a lack of confidence and an over reliance on seeking approval for every aspect of work. Recent social work reports such as the Munro Review into Child Protection (2011) identified poor supervision as a barrier to good and effective social work practice and highlighted the need for quality supervision to become embedded within departments. Copyright @ 2019 by One Stop Social All Rights Reserved. The social work profession has an influence on the practice of supervision to social workers in terms of the values it dictates for the relationship between the supervisor and the social worker as well as the technology it makes available for problem solving. It sounds simple, but the ability to be person-centred to the Professional is a very powerful tool. affirm that the purpose of social work supervision is to provide quality service to clients. In these places, supervision takes place in an environment and relationship that feel safe, both to the supervisor and the supervisee. A poor one will continue to pile the work on you, until you are unable to function. Has it helped professional development? Recent social work reports such as the Munro Review into Child Protection (2011) identified poor supervision as a barrier to good and effective social work practice and highlighted the need for quality supervision to become embedded within departments. Use the session to discuss ‘real case’ examples. It plays an important role in the wider functioning of any children’s social care organisation. In places that do it well, supervision happens in a dedicated space and time. Yvette Stanley is Ofsted's National Director for Social Care. It will help you identify what it is you want out of the supervision session – it is a task centred approach to working. The task is to work together to ensure and develop the efficacy of the therapist/client relationship. Whilst I believe this to be an excellent quality, it can sometimes be our downfall. It can cause professionals to develop anxious related practice. Does the way I am supervised contribute to my job satisfaction and make me want to continue to work for this organisation? Even more than that, it is likely to have a direct, positive impact on children and families. Effective supervision in social work and social care Research briefing from SCIE which provides an overview of the evidence concerning the value of supervision in supporting the practice of … It is vital that social work managers and leaders are able to deliver and manage effective supervision to their teams. There is, of course, some overlap between the two, and I do not want to suggest a prescriptive approach. It is not. She is a California Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years in the field. Social Work Chronologies | Practice Guide, Coping with Domestic Abuse: 6 to 12 year olds | Direct Resource, Siobhan Maclean Introduces Social Work Connect. So, what does ‘effective supervision’ look like? Sector colleagues often ask me what Ofsted is looking for on a good supervision record and on a child’s case record. Within Social Work, it is generally accepted there are four main objectives to supervision (Morrison 2005): Ensuring competent accountable practice; Encouraging continuing professional development; Offering personal support to practitioners; Engaging the … Most supervision sessions between a social worker and their manager appear to follow a strikingly similar format. Invariably implied in the provision of the supervisory functions is the … The recognition of their positive qualities, in what is deemed a challenging yet rewarding profession, will result in increased job satisfaction, staff productivity and subsequent staff retention. (2010). This research briefing provides an overview of the evidence concerning the value of supervision in supporting the practice of social care and social work. Any good supervision session should have a section dedicated to staff development. Conversely, supervision that is too often but less effective will make supervised become dependent, feel bored, and make the supervision relationship ineffective and … Keep up-to-date with social care news at Ofsted by signing up for email alerts. The decision-making resulting from supervision is clearly relevant here. This will assist front-line staff cope with the complex day to day work with Service Users. We do value professional judgement and accountability after all. Social Work Supervision: As a qualified Social Worker and experienced Manager, I have been approached by a number of Professionals and Service Providers recently asking me for advice on what is ‘effective supervision’. Does it increase my confidence, competence and critical thinking? It forms a regular outlet to reflect on what has gone well and what has gone less well, and to learn from both. For Ofsted, supervision is an important part of the conversations that inspectors have with frontline workers. on 29 October 2018. Inspectors will always look for evidence of the quality and impact of any supervision. Those that work in the Social Care or Social Work sector are selfless. Not only does this increase service delivery (the more skilled the worker, the better the outcomes), it will also promote staff self-worth and value. Working in the Social Work/Care Sector is a demanding profession. Having been both supervisor and supervisee, I know that how supervision ‘feels’ is important! Note: Do not be afraid to say that you cannot take on more work. Any good Supervisor should want to invest in staff development. Effective supervisory relationships allow you to develop personally and professionally through trust, honesty, accountability and empathy. (Australian Association of Social Workers. The four elements of the supervisory cycle. Remember, it is YOUR supervision! This is one of the best forms of learning in practice. I have personally experienced what micro-managing can do, and I can tell you, it is not helpful in any shape or form! Effective supervision is key to delivering positive outcomes for all people who use adult and children’s social care and maybe applicable to the wider children’s workforce. Professional supervision is central to effective social work. Recent social work reports such as the Munro Review into Child Protection (2011) identified poor supervision as a barrier to good and effective social work practice and highlighted the need for quality supervision to become embedded within departments. When done well, supervision contributes to how staff performance is managed, and includes practice development and teaching and coaching. It should promote your emotional well-being, learning and development and line management accountability. Social service workers and managers also require access to capacity building tools and resources and methods of guiding and tracking effective supervision. Therefore, make sure you bring a list of all upcoming training, courses or events or areas that you would like to develop further. It is vital that social work managers and leaders are able to deliver and manage effective supervision to their teams. A good manager will support your professional judgement. Regular supervision allows us to reflect on our work (the what, where, when and how), it offers us a forum where we can ‘offload’. Whilst not an exhaustive list, here are some great top tips. posted on This will often result in practitioners taking on more work than they can appropriately (or safely) manage. Supervision involves talking through the impact the work has on you personally, as well as exploring decision-making. The findings from this research show that supervision plays a key role in good social work practice. The emotionally charged nature of the work can place particular demands on people in the field. As such, one of the most essential supportive mechanisms we require as practitioners is effective (and reflective) supervision. Research into what happens within supervision suggests that effective supervision generates good outcomes for workers [ 3] while experience suggests that the consequences of absent, inadequate or negative forms of supervision may pose a threat to workforce stability, capacity, confidence, competence and … Provide both ad-hoc and formal supervision. No. Effective supervision supports good working relationships, helps you to address any issues and celebrate achievements, gives you the opportunity to discuss learning and development – and, if you’re a regulated provider, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) expects you to offer staff regular supervisions to ensure that they’re competent and confident to do their role. 3 Supervision ensures that support is adequate to prevent work-related harm to social workers’ health and well-being. My sub-group felt that peer group supervision might be especially useful in countries where social work is an emerging profession, and where there are few experienced managers who can offer reflective supervision. Not only does it benefit the service offered to the client but also contributes to effective professional relationships. It is emotionally supportive, but challenges practitioners to truly reflect on their practice and on the needs of the children and families they are supporting. It can literally be on a piece of scrap paper. Social workers who said their supervision was about more than just the progress of cases were more likely to judge it as effective. Effective supervision relationships allow practitioners to develop personally and professionally through trust, honesty and empathy. Does it help me make better decisions for children? Social work supervision is grounded in the values, ethics and principles of the social work ... social workers gain knowledge and skills needed for effective client services within a particular . Without it, it increases the risk of burn out, isolation and the potential for poor practice. Does it make me feel that my employer cares about me and my practice? † Supervision works best when it pays attention to task assistance, social and emotional support and that workers have a positive relationship with supervisors. I think we can all agree on that. For supervision to be effective it needs to combine a performance management approach with a dynamic, empowering and enabling supervisory relationship. Make sure that within the supervision session there is at least one agenda item that focuses on promoting the practitioners practice. “Supervision must enable and support workersto build effective professional relationships, develop good practice, and exercise both professional judgement and discretion in decision-making. We only ask for your email address so we know you're a real person, Ofsted: developments in children’s social care. It is vital for practitioners’ well-being, professional development, and management oversight. Effective supervision relationships allow practitioners to develop personally and professionally through trust, honesty and empathy. As ever, there is no particular model that works best. • Social workers are responsible for ensuring that their practice is culturally competent, safe and sensitive. When it comes to a child’s record, this has to serve many audiences – not least a manager’s scrutiny and a future social worker’s ability to pick up that child’s case. It is demanding intellectually and can be both physically and emotionally draining. It is vital that social work managers and leaders are able to deliver and manage effective supervision to their teams. For some practitioners, supervision records will include getting the basics right or compliance with practice standards. Recent social work reports such as the Munro Review into Child Protection (2011) identified poor supervision as a barrier to good and effective social work practice and highlighted the need for quality supervision to become embedded within departments. There is some evidence that group supervision can increase critical thinking. However, the term itself can be very ambiguous and confusing. Supervision is a formal arrangement for therapists to discuss their work regularly with someone who is experienced in both therapy and supervision. Fab but what about guidance in terms of performance issues and how to challenge effectively in supervision? Assist the supervisee to be comfortable in who he/she is and to include those personal strengths and qualities in the social worker-client/consumer relationship It applied to both individual and group supervision. It is needed to offer support, advice and guidance relating to practice, whilst also paying adequate attention to personal and professional development. Helping to make the supervisee the best clinician he or she can be, drawing on the talents and abilities unique to that person 2. It is good to see the government setting out the role of practice supervisors in its knowledge and skills statements: not much to argue with there. You can also follow Ofsted on Twitter. Vicki Saunders We work with societies most vulnerable in their time of need or crisis. The ultimate aim of supervision is to enable social workers to provide effective service to clients. As such, any good supervision session will focus heavily on reflective practice. supervision. This is helpful for practitioners because they know when to expect it and can rely on it. Supervision is an essential component of practice in social work and social care, not just for frontline staff, but at all levels in an organisation; Effective supervision provides a safe space for workers to reflect on their practice, as well as to develop skills and knowledge All organisations therefore need to make a positive, unambiguous commitment to a strong supervision.. Simple, but the ability to be an excellent quality, it can professionals... Most supervision sessions between a social Worker with over 20 years in the field likely... 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