What Is Happening in an Individual Supervision Session? Reflections of Social Workers in South Africa

Abstract

This article reports on qualitative research, aimed at acquiring an understanding of what transpires in an individual social work supervision session in South Africa. Findings reveal that supervision sessions are chiefly “open door” and “on the run”, with minimal evidence of critical reflection. A key recommendation stresses that the evolution of supervision in the country should enter a new phase as response to the hegemony of a neoliberal inspired managerial discourse in social work. The deliberate utilisation of more clinical educational and supportive elements, and critical reflection-in-action and reflection-on-action in supervision sessions is therefore recommended. Keywords: social work supervision, clinical supervision, reflection, neoliberalism, managerialism

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

“…In a South African context, where social work supervision has been described as tending largely towards managerialism, the supervision formation is clearly influenced by external factors (Chibaya & Engelbrecht, 2022;Sithole, 2020). The challenge stems from the uniquely peculiar sets of clients' needs emanating from their traditional and cultural orientations while at the same time relying on a democratically founded institution for intervention with different operative mechanisms, a situation that could frustrate the practice of effective supervision.…”

“…The supervisor should apply these functions purposefully and according to the needs of the supervisees to enhance their practice. Supervision has taken a managerial and performance management character, which is not always desirable and may result in a situation where supervisees experience supervision as a harmful rather than helpful practice (Chibaya & Engelbrecht, 2022;O' Donoghue & Engelbrecht, 2021). For social work supervision to become helpful rather than harmful, it has to take on the characteristics of professional supervision.…”

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

“…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). The participants agreed that having good supervision helped them to be more resilient and made their work easier and more enjoyable.…”