Kieran's Corner for Supervisors

How this page came about

The idea of a supervisor's corner grew from the monograph I wrote in 1998 and the research I completed in 1999. I have a passion for social work supervision and I continue to supervise a small number of social work practitioners as well as teach social work and professional supervision. In the supervisory role, I found a need for easy access reference material, which covers areas of process,content, form, and theoretical approaches or models of supervision.

Supervising Social Workers: A Practical Handbook.

Published by the School of Sociology, Social Policy and Social Work,

Massey University, New Zealand.

This Page

This page offers information to supervisors (especially 'new supervisors'). It is
also offered as a contribution to those who recognise the Professional nature of Social Work
Supervision and who consider Professional Supervision to be vital. This page is not intended
to be a substitute for training or education in Supervision, nor is it an attempt to tell Supervisors
'How to Supervise!’ Rather it is offered as a resource for Supervisors, particularly those who are
new to the role that provides them with some ideas to refer to from time to time.

Kieran's Definition of Professional Social Work Supervision

Professional Social Work Supervision is a process which facilitates critical reflection upon the
perceptions, actions, processes, persons, and the context of social work practice.
This process takes place within a professional relationship between a social work supervisor
and social worker(s)(supervisee)that models best social work practice.
The purpose of professional social work supervision is best practice with clients.

Kieran's Beliefs About Social Work Supervision

The raison d'etre for supervision is best practice with clients.
Supervision is the social worker's most important professional relationship.
Supervision is a professional process for the protection and empowerment of vulnerable groups, whether they are clients or social work practitioners.
Supervision as a process needs to be anti-oppressive and anti-discriminatory in its use of power and authority.
Supervision as a process needs to be sensitive and responsive to difference, particularly cultural and gender differences.
What appears implicit in a supervision session, is often as significant as what is made explicit.
Supervision is a complex and skilful process, which can be learnt.
Supervision that is critically reflective upon social work practice assists Social Workers

deliver best practice to clients.

Supervision provides process accountability in social work assessment and intervention with

clients and assists social workers to maintain professional and ethical standards.

Supervision is one of the most important activities in the Social Services.
The supervision of Social Workers can be one of the most rewarding tasks in Social Work.

Kieran's Recommendations on books for Social Work Supervisors

The following are excellent and every social work supervisor deserves to have them:

Brown, A. and Bourne, I. (1996) The Social Work Supervisor, Buckingham, Open University Press.A very useful book which I highly recommend ****.

Kadushin, A., and Harkness, D. (2002) Supervision in Social Work (4th Edition), New York, University of Columbia Press.The definitive text-book on Social Work Supervision ****.

Munson, C. (2001) Handbook of Clinical Social Work Supervision (3rd Edition), New York, Haworth Press.This book is a Classic ****.

Shulman, L. (1993) Interactional Supervision, Washington DC, NASW Press.An excellent book which focuses on supervision skills Very Highly Recommended *****.

Turner, F.(1996) Social Work Treatment (4th Edition), New York, Free Press.This book covers 27 systems of social work and gives a readable comprehensive guide to social work theory.A must for every supervisor *****.

If you live in Aotearoa New Zealand

I recommend the following:

O'Donoghue, K. (2003) Restorying Social Work Supervision. Palmerston North, Dunmore Press. For more information about this book.
Beddoe, E. and Worrall, J. (Eds) (2001) Supervision Conference: From Rhetoric to Reality, Keynote Address and Selected Papers, Auckland, Auckland College of Education.For more information about the Conference Proceedings
Bradley, J.,Jacob, E.,Bradley, R.,(1999) Reflections on Culturally Safe Supervision, or Why Bill Gates Makes More Money Than We Do, Te Komako, Social Work Review, Te Komako 3, Vol XI, No 4, pp3-6.
Webber-Dreadon, E.,(1999)He Taonga Mo o Matou Tipuna (A gift handed down by our ancestors): An indigenous approach to social work supervision, Te Komako, Social Work Review, Te Komako 3, Vol XI, No4, pp7-11.
Bennie, G. (1995) Social Work Supervision An Annotated Bibliography, Palmerston North, Massey University, Department of Social Policy and Social Work.
New Zealand Association of Social Workers. (1998) Policy Statement on Supervision, Dunedin, NZASW.
New Zealand Social Work Training Council. (1985) Supervision Resource Package, Wellington, New Zealand Social Work Training Council.
O'Donoghue, K. (1998) Supervising Social Workers A Practical Handbook, Palmerston North, School of Social Policy and Social Work Massey University.

To order: Supervising Social Workers- a practical handbook write to:
Secretariat, Sociology, Social Policy and Social Work,
Massey University, Private Bag 11 222
Palmerston North
Enclose NZ$12.00

Education and Training in Supervision in Aotearoa New Zealand

In Aotearoa/New Zealand the leading provider of social work supervision courses is Massey University.

Massey University offer an extramural postgraduate Diploma in Social Service Supervision. The DSSS consists of four Masters Level papers. For further information contact my colleague Mary Ann Baskerville.

Email Kieran

To Some of Kieran's Presentations on Supervision

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