Supervision

Question 1

Effective supervision requires… (4)

Answer 1

Skills to address of the strengths and weaknesses of SW

Modeling and discussing ethical practice

Providing support and encouragement in learning context

Familiar with admin and organizational structure of agency

Question 2

Oversight (6)

Answer 2

Supervisors need to assure…

Services SWs provide to clients meet the standard of practice

SW is current with their documentation

Both supervisor and SW should maintain documentation of supervision sessions

Monitor Ethics and SW’s professional work activities

Identify actions that may pose danger to health/well-being of clients. Take action as needed.

Identify and address any condition that may impair SW’s ability to carry out job appropriately

Question 3

Three domains of supervision

Answer 3

Administration
Education
Support

Administration

Agency policy/org demands

S W‘s level of functioning on the job

Education

Helping W become more knowledgeable – or self-aware

Consider SW needs

Education, aspect of supervision is never therapy!

Support

Decrease job stress

Provide SW with nurturing conditions that complement their success

Promote climate of safety and trust allowing SW to develop professional identity

For exam: how do we address, caseload, vicarious, trauma, etc.? Seek supervision!

Create climate where SW can safely explore their biases

Make referrals to EAP etc.

Question 4

Interdisciplinary supervision

Answer 4

This is fine for approach. But SW should also have a seeking out some supervision from a social work supervisor.

Question 5

Boundaries (3)

Answer 5

Sup is not therapist to SW

Personal disclosures, be careful! Should be brief and support the goals of supervision – never the focus of supervision

Supervisors never enter into a therapeutic relationship with supervisee

Question 6

Liability (4)

Answer 6

Spervisors can face direct liability when inappropriate recomendations are carried out to the client’s detriment.

Supervisors can face liability if they assign duties to SW who is inadequately prepared to carry them out

Supervisor should not supervise any family members/former partners or anyone who supervisor has had a therapeutic relationship

Supervisor should not engage in a therapeutic relationship with supervisee

Question 7

Supervision – best practices (5)

Answer 7

Contracting at start for how communication, resolving challenges, is supposed to play out; address countertransference issues

Provide resources to help SWs deal with stress, make referrals if needed

Trust, confidentiality, support, empathetic experiences, constructive feedback, safety, respect, self-care

Regarding confidential information: only details needed to further supervision needs at the moment shall be shared

SW should be telling their clients right away that their personal info is being shared in supervision sessions

Question 8

Dual Supervision

Answer 8

SW has agency supervisor and clinical supervisor

Best practice would be that a written contract is signed by all three parties. It will outline which supervisor is responsible for what. In the absence of this, the agency supervisor’s direction takes priority

Question 9

Supervision/consultation – according to the COE (8)

Answer 9

Supervisors should have a level of expertise in the area of practice tied to the people they supervise. Be aware of your limitations!

Supervisor should maintain their knowledge of practice through continued education

Supervisor should evaluate SWs in a manner that is fair and respectful – based on clearly stated criteria

Supervisor must avoid dual relationships with anyone they supervise

Supervisors must have clear culturally appropriate boundaries with social workers

Supervisor should have knowledge about cultural background of population SW serves

Supervisor should have knowledge about the cultural background of social worker they supervise

Supervisors must inform clients if they are to receive services from a student or intern