YESTERDAY, TODAY AND TOMORROW: IS SOCIAL WORK SUPERVISION IN SOUTH AFRICA KEEPING UP?
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15270/46-3-162Abstract
The recruitment and retention strategy of the Department of Social Development (2006:23)postulates that there is a “lack of structured supervision and poor quality supervisors, whothemselves also lack capacity to conduct professional supervision” in South Africa. Pieterse(1961), one of the first authors on supervision in South Africa, made similar claims close tofive decades ago. These two comments give rise to the question: has social work in SouthAfrica been practising supervision over the past five decades beyond historical bureaucraticdiscourses, and has it engaged with changing global, local and personal contexts to develop andsustain critically responsive practices? In other words: is social work supervision in SouthAfrica keeping up with the times? By addressing this question, this paper seeks to respond tothe call of the recruitment and retention strategy document (Department of SocialDevelopment, 2006) to evaluate current supervision practices. In this attempt the paper reportson research, drawing on an historical analysis of the international and local development ofsocial work supervision and on a case study of current supervision practices in an NGOenvironment, in order to recommend a context-specific conceptual framework for futuresupervision practices. This paper thus aims to examine the interplay between the historicaldevelopment, current practices and future challenges of social work supervisionDownloads
References
AMERICAN BOARD OF EXAMINERS IN CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK (ABECSW). 2004.
Clinical supervision: a practice specialty of clinical social work. A Position Statement of the
ABECSW.
AUSTIN, M.J. 1981. Supervisory management in the human services. Englewood Cliffs,
NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc.
BARETTE, J. 1968a. A few thoughts on supervision as a learning experience 1. Social
Work/Maatskaplike Werk, 4(2):85-90.
BARETTE, J. 1968b. A few thoughts on supervision as a learning experience 2. Social
Work/Maatskaplike Werk, 4(3):131-135.
BARKER, R.L. 1995. Social work dictionary (3rd ed). Washington, DC: NASW Press.
BERNARD, J.M. & GOODYEAR, R.K. 1992. Fundamentals of clinical supervision. Boston:
Allyn & Bacon.
BLUCKERT, B. 2008. Coaching supervision. [Online] Available: http://www.pbcoaching.
com/articles/article-coaching-supervision.pdf [Accessed: 19/09/2009.]
BOGO, M. & McKNIGHT, K. 2005. Clinical supervision in social work: a review of the
research literature. The Clinical Supervisor, 24(1/2):49-67.
BOPAPE, M. 1968. Student supervision in casework training with special reference to
Bantu Colleges in South Africa. Pretoria: University of South Africa. (Unpublished MA
Thesis)
BOTHA, N.J. 1971. Supervisie in maatskaplike werk met besondere klem op drie
partikuliere welsynsorganisasies. Stellenbosch: University of Stellenbosch. (Unpublished
MA Thesis)
BOTHA, N.J. 1972. Supervisie in maatskaplike werk met besondere klem op drie partikuliere
welsynsorganisasies. Social Work/Maatskaplike Werk, 8(2):72-82.
BOTHA, N.J 1985a. Die inhoud en vaardighede vir doeltreffende supervisie. Paper
delivered at a symposium on supervision on 22-23 August, University of Pretoria.
BOTHA, N.J. 1985b. Onderrigmodel vir doeltreffende supervisie. Maatskaplike Werk/Social
Work, 21(4):239-248.
BOTHA, N.J. 2002. Supervision and consultation in social work. Bloemfontein: Drufoma.
BOOLEY, M.S. 1996. The development of participatory management in supervision: An
evaluative study. Stellenbosch: University of Stellenbosch. (Unpublished DPhil Dissertation)
BRACKETT, J.R. 1904. Supervision and education in charity. New York: MacMillan.
BRADLEY, G., ENGELBRECHT, L.K. & HÖJER, S. 2010. Supervision: a force for change?
Three stories told. International Social Work OnlineFirst, 24 June: 1-18. [Online] Available:
http://isw.sagepub.com/cgi/rapidpdf/0020872809358401v1 [Accessed: 24/06/2010.]
BUNKER, D.R. & WIJNBERG, M.H. 1988. Supervision and performance: Managing
professionals in human service organizations. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers.
BURNS, M.E. 1958. The historical development of the process of casework supervision as
seen in literature of social work. Chicago: School of Social Service Administration,
University of Chicago. (Unpublished PhD Dissertation)
COHEN, B. 1999. Intervention and supervision in strengths-based social work practice.
Families in Society, 80(5):460-466.
COLEMAN, M. 2003. Supervision and the clinical social worker. Clinical Social Work.
Practice Update, 3(2):1-4.
COLLINS-CAMARGO, C. & KELLY, M.J. 2006. Supervisor as informal mentor: promoting
professional development in public child welfare. The Clinical Supervisor, 25(1/2):127-146.
CONNOR, M. & POKORA, J. 2007. Coaching & mentoring at work. Developing effective
practice. Berkshire: Open University Press.
DAWSON, J.B. 1926. The casework supervisor in a family agency. Family, 6:293-295.
DE BRUYN, M. 1985. Opleiding en toerusting van supervisors. Paper presented at a
symposium on supervision. Pretoria: University of Pretoria, 22-23 August.
DE JAGER, J. 1962. Die indiensopleiding in die Departement van Volkswelsyn en Pensioene
as vorm van praktykleiding. Mens en Gemeenskap, 111(2/4):167-175.
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT, 2003. Strategic Plan of the Department of
Social Development: 2003/4-2005/6. Pretoria.
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT, 2005. Policy on the financial awards to
service providers. Pretoria.
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT. 2006. Draft recruitment and retention
strategy for social workers. Pretoria: Department of Social Development.
DOEL, M. & SHARDLOW, S. 1996. Social work in a changing world: perspective on
practice learning. Aldershot: Gower House.
DU PLESSIS, G.A. 1965. Supervisie as hulpmiddel in maatskaplike werk met besondere
aandag aan die Department van Volkswelsyn en Pensioene. Pretoria: University of Pretoria.
(Unpublished MA Thesis)
DERCKSEN, J.W. 1973. Die onderhoud as hulpmiddel by supervisie van gevallewerk as
metode in die maatskaplike werk. Pretoria: University of Pretoria. (Unpublished MA Thesis)
DEWANE, C.D. 2007. Supervisor, beware: ethical dangers in supervision. Social Work
Today, 7(4):34-40.
EARL, N. 2008. Social work in social change. The profession and education of social
workers in South Africa. Cape Town: HSRC Press.
ENGELBRECHT, L.K. 2002. ‘n Maatskaplike ontwikkelingsgerigte perspektief op
supervisie aan maatskaplikewerk-studente by opleidingsinstansies in Suid-Afrika.
Stellenbosch: University of Stellenbosch. (Unpublished DPhil Dissertation)
ENGELBRECHT, L.K. 2004. Operationalising a competence model of supervision to empower
social workers and students in South Africa. Social Work/Maatskaplike Werk, 40(2):206-
ENGELBRECHT, L.K. 2006a. Plumbing the brain drain of South African social workers
migrating to the UK: Challenges for social service providers. Social Work/Maatskaplike
Werk, 42(2):101-121.
ENGELBRECHT, L.K. 2006b. Cultural friendliness as a foundation for the support function in
the supervision of social work students in South Africa. International Social Work,
(2):256-266.
ERERA, I.P. & LAZAR, A. 1994. The administrative and educational functions in supervision:
Indications of incompatibility. The Clinical Supervisor, 12(2):39-56.
FERGUSON, I. 2009. No justice, no peace!: Reflections on social work, social conflict and
reconstruction. Key note speech delivered at the first ENSACT Joint European Conference:
Dubrovnik.
FIFTH INTERNATIONAL INTERDISCIPLINARY CONFERENCE ON CLINICAL
SUPERVISION. 2009. The Clinical Supervisor, 28(1):109-111.
FOUCHÉ, C.B. 2005. Qualitative research designs. In: DE VOS, A.S. (ed) Research at grass
roots. a primer for the caring professions. Pretoria: Van Schaik Publishers: 267-273.
GIBELMAN, M. 1995. What social workers do. Washington, DC: NASW Press.
GILBERT, C. 2009. Editorial. The Clinical Supervisor, 28(1-2):1-2.
GOCHROS, H. 2005. Interviewing. In: GRINNELL, R.M. & UNRAU, Y.A. (eds) Social
work research and evaluation. Quantitative and qualitative approaches (7th ed). Oxford:
Oxford University Press: 246-269.
GRINNELL, R.M., UNRAU, Y.A. & WILLIAMS, M. 2005. Scientific inquiry and social
work. In: GRINNELL, R.M & UNRAU, Y.A. (eds) Social work research and evaluation.
Quantitative and qualitative approaches (7th ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press: 4-21.
HARDCASTLE, D.A. 1991. Toward a model for supervision: a peer supervision pilot project.
The Clinical Supervisor, 9(2):63-76.
HATTING, J.F.J. 1968. Die behoefte aan praktykleiding. Paper delivered at a field guidance
conference. Wellington: Huguenot College, 30 September.
HAWKINS, P. & SHOHET, R. 2006. Supervision in the helping professions (3rd ed).
Berkshire: Open University Press.
HENSLEY, P.H. 2002. The value of supervision. The Clinical Supervisor, 21(1):97-106.
HERSEY, P., BLANCHARD, K, & JOHNSON, D. 1996. Managing of organizational
behavior: utilizing human resources (7th ed). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
HOFFMANN, W. 1976. Performance of undergraduate students in field instruction in
social work education. Johannesburg: University of the Witwatersrand. (Unpublished DPhil
Thesis)
HOFFMANN, W. 1987. Social work supervision. In: McKENDRICK, B.W. (ed) Introduction
to social work in South Africa. Pinetown: Owen Burgess Publishers: 206-248.
JUBY, C. & SCANNAPIECO, M. 2007. Characteristics of workload management in public
child welfare agencies. Administration in Social Work, 31(3):95-109.
KADUSHIN, A. 1976. Supervision in social work. New York: Columbia University Press.
KADUSHIN, A. 1992. Supervision in social work (3rd ed). New York: Columbia University
Press.
KADUSHIN, A. & HARKNESS, D. 2002. Supervision in social work (4th ed). New York:
Columbia University Press.
KAUFMAN, K. & SCHWARTZ, T. 2003. Models of supervision: shaping professional
identity. The Clinical Supervisor, 22(1):143-158.
LAVE, J. & WENGER, E. 1991. Situated learning. Legitimate peripheral participation.
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
LEEDY, P.D. & ORMROD, J.E. 2001. Practical research: planning and design (7th ed).
New Jersey: Merrill Prentice-Hall.
LEWIS, J.A., PACKARD, T. & LEWIS, M.D. 2007. Management of human service
programs (4th ed). Belmont: Thomson Brooks/Cole.
LOMBARD, A., GROBBELAAR, M. & PRUIS, S. 2003. Standards for social work
qualifications in South Africa. Social Work/Maatskaplike Werk, 39(1):1-17.
MARSHALL, C. & ROSSMAN, G.B. 1999. Designing qualitative research (3rd ed). London:
Sage Publications.
McMURTY, S.L. 2005. Surveys. In: GRINNELL, R.M. & UNRAU, Y.A. (eds) Social work
research and evaluation. Quantitative and qualitative approaches (7th ed). Oxford: Oxford
University Press: 272-287.
MIDDLEMAN, R.R. & RHODES, G.B. 1985. Competent supervision. Making imaginative
judgements. Englewood Cliffs: NJ: Prentice-Hall.
MÜLLER, A. 1965. Opleiding vir maatskaplike werkers met spesiale verwysing na Suid-
Afrika. Stellenbosch: University of Stellenbosch. (Unpublished DPhil Dissertation)
MUNSON, C. E. 1993. Clinical social work supervision (2nd ed). New York: Haworth Press.
MUNSON, C.E. 2002. Handbook of clinical social work supervision. New York: The
Haworth Press.
NYE, C. 2007. Dependence and independence in clinical supervision: an application of
Vygotsky’s developmental learning theory. The Clinical Supervisor, 26(1/2):81-98.
O’DONOGHUE, K. 2002. Global-vision, local-vision, personal-vision and social work
supervision. Paper presented to Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers
Conference, Christchurch, 31October-2 November.
PAGE, A.C. & STRITZKE, W.G.K. 2006. Clinical psychology for trainees: foundations of
science-informed practice. London: Cambridge University Press.
PELSER, M.F. 1985. Die wetenskaplik professionele regverdiging van supervisie vir
maatskaplike werk. Paper delivered at a supervision symposium, Pretoria: University of
Pretoria, 22-23 August.
PELSER, M.F. 1988. Supervisie in maatskaplike werk. Riglyne vir die praktyk. Pretoria:
University of Pretoria. (Unpublished DPhil Thesis)
PERLMAN, H.H. 1967. Social casework. A Problem-solving process. Chicago: University
Press.
PERRAULT, E.L.J. & COLEMAN, H.D.J. 2005. Coaching within social work field education.
The Clinical Supervisor, 23(2):47-64.
PETTES, D.E. 1967. Supervision in Social Work. A method of student training and staff
development. London: George Allen & Unwin.
PIETERSE, J. E. 1961. Praktykleiding in groepwerk. Mens en Gemeenskap, 11(3/4):155-162.
RABINOWITZ, J. 1987. Why ongoing supervision in social casework: an historical analysis.
The Clinical Supervisor, 5(3):79-90.
RICHMOND, M. E. 1899. Friendly visiting among the poor: a handbook for charity
workers. New York: MacMillan.
ROBINSON, V. 1936. Supervision in social work. Chapel Hill: The University of North
Carolina Press.
RSA (REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA). 1978. Act on Social and Associated Workers, Act
of 1978. Pretoria: Government Printers.
RSA (REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA). 1997. Ministry of Welfare and Population
Development. White Paper for Social Welfare. Notice 1108 of 1997, Government Gazette,
vol. 386, No. 18166 of 8 August. Pretoria, Government Printers.
RSA (REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA). 2006a. Childrens’s Act, No.38 of 2005.
Government Gazette, vol. 492, 19 June. No 28944: Cape Town.
RSA (REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA). 2006b. Department of Social Development.
Integrated service delivery model towards improved social services. Pretoria, Government
Printers.
SACSSP (SOUTH AFRICAN COUNCIL FOR SOCIAL SERVICE PROFESSIONS). 2007.
Policy guidelines for course of conduct, code of ethics and the rules for social workers.
[Online] Available: http://www.sacssp.co.za/UserFiles/File/SACSSP%20Code%20Ethics.pdf
[Accessed: 02/06/2009].
SACSSP (SOUTH AFRICAN COUNCIL FOR SOCIAL SERVICE PROFESSIONS). 2008.
Draft executive summary of the research report on the demarcation of social services:
professionalization and specialization. [Online] Available: http://www.sacssp. co.za/User
Files/File/RESEARCH%20EXECUTIVE%20SUMMARY%20edited%20%20amendedff.doc.
[Accessed: 02/06/2009].
SCHUTT, R.K. 2005. Sampling. In: GRINNELL, R.M & UNRAU, Y.A. (eds) Social work
research and evaluation. Quantitative and qualitative approaches (7th ed). Oxford: Oxford
University Press: 150-169.
SHULMAN, L. 1993. Interactional supervision. Washington, DC: NASW Press.
SHULMAN, L. 1995. Supervision and consultation. Encyclopedia of Social Work (19th ed).
Silver Spring, MD: National Association of Social Workers: 2373-2379.
SIEPERT, J.D., McMURTY, S.L. & McCLELLAND, R.W. 2005. In: GRINNELL, R.M &
UNRAU, Y.A. (eds) Social work research and evaluation. Quantitative and qualitative
approaches (7th ed). Oxford: Oxford University Press: 316-328.
SMIT, S.J. 1972. Supervisie binne groepsverband. Social Work/Maatskaplike Werk, 8(1):22-
STAKE, R. 1995. The art of case study research. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications.
TERMINOLOGY COMMITTEE FOR SOCIAL WORK. 1995. New dictionary of social
work. Cape Town: CTP Book Printers.
TROMSKI-KLINGSHIRN, D. 2006. Should the clinical supervisor be the administrative
supervisor? The ethics versus the reality. The Clinical Supervisor, 25(1/2):53-63.
TSUI, M. & HO, W. 1997. In search of a comprehensive model of social work supervision.
The Clinical Supervisor, 16(2):181-202.
TSUI, M. 1997. The roots of social work supervision: An historical review. The Clinical
Supervisor, 15(2):191-198.
TSUI, M. 2005. Social work supervision. Contexts and concepts. London: Sage Publications.
VAKTAALKOMITEE VIR MAATSKAPLIKE WERK. 1971. Verklarende Afrikaanse
Woordeboek vir Maatskaplike Werk. Departement Volkswelsyn en Pensioene. Pretoria:
Government Printer.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
This journal is an open access journal, and the authors and journal should be properly acknowledged when works are cited.
Authors may use the publishers version for teaching purposes, in books, and with conferences.
The following license applies:
Attribution CC BY-4.0
This license lets others distribute, remix, tweak, and build upon your work, even commercially, as long as they credit you for the original creation.
Articles as a whole may not be re-published with another journal.
