Sixteenth International Conference on Interdisciplinary Social Sciences

Abstract

Social work supervision has evolved worldwide. Central to this evolution is a supervisory relationship which is essential for effective social work supervision. However, most supervisees experience the supervisory relationship as an unsafe practice context, influenced by power relations. The requirement for effective supervision is thus the maintenance of a safe supervisory relationship that is based on trust, collaboration, joint accountability, honesty, openness and a non-judgmental approach. Often, such a relationship is subverted by the need to comply with a neoliberal agenda that promotes a ‘tick-box approach’ to supervision rather than a relationship-based one. This conceptual paper questions whether such an agenda fosters an alliance or rivalry between the supervisor and supervisee. The paper discusses strategies that the supervisor and supervisee can adopt to prioritise relationship-based supervisory practices. It concludes that in order to foster trusting supervisory relationships, it is necessary to acknowledge the diverse cultures, work settings, and needs of both supervisors and supervisees.