CHALLENGES IN SUPERVISING SOCIAL WORKERS

Abstract

Mental health supervision encompasses the oversight of social workers, who may operate within organizations or in private practice. The supervision of social workers varies depending on their work setting. Kadushin and Harkness (2002) identified distinct functions of supervision that differ based on whether the social worker is employed within an organization or works independently in private practice. These distinctions also extend to the types of cases handled, whether they involve recipients of social services provided by an organization or clients seeking psychotherapy or psychological counseling from a social worker in private practice. After completing training in a therapeutic orientation, social workers often acquire competencies as psychotherapists. These competencies are practiced in various contexts, depending on the social worker's professional setting, whether within an organization or in private practice. The social work profession is increasingly adopting the characteristics of a liberal profession, similar to that of psychologists, doctors, and psycho-pedagogues. The liberalization of the social work profession introduces new complexities to the supervision of social work services. These complexities are influenced by factors such as professional training, organizational characteristics, organizational culture, private practice conditions, the competencies of the supervisor, and the supervisor’s relationship to the organization (whether they are employed within the same organization as the supervisee or operate externally under a supervision contract chosen by the supervisee). The purpose of the present paper is to propose guidelines for establishing a general framework for supervision. This framework aims to support the work of supervisors, whether they are located within or outside an organization, in the context of the liberalization of the social work profession.