Training fieldwork supervisors of social work students at a South European University: evaluation of the effectiveness of a relational psychodynamic model

Abstract

This case-study adopts a mixed research methodology in order to evaluate the process and the effectiveness of a psychodynamically informed training seminar for field supervisors of undergraduate social work students, at a South European University. At the beginning of the seminar, an anonymous questionnaire gathered information on the supervisors’ demographics, preferred supervision style and expectations from the training. The training consisted of four sessions involving analysis of (1) student process-recorded interviews with clients, (2) the relationships formed between the student, the supervisor and the field practice manager, (3) brief virtual scenarios (vignettes) of field practice problems and (4) a videotaped supervision session. At the end of the training process, a follow-up questionnaire researched the satisfaction of supervisors with the training, their confidence to conduct supervision, and their satisfaction with the instructor's teaching. Overall, the training has been satisfactory for the trainees and increased their competence to supervise.

Keywords:

• training
• field educators
• social work
• relational
• psychodynamic

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

George Karpetis

George Karpetis is a Senior lecturer in social work at Flinders University, Australia. He has worked for 12 years in various mental health services and he is a registered social worker in Australia and England. His research interests include practitioner research in clinical and education practice. [email: [email protected]] Address: Dr George Karpetis, Senior Lecturer in Social Work, School of Social and Policy Studies, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, SA, 5001 (08) 82012270

Eleni Athanasiou

Eleni Athanassiou is a Lecturer in social work at the European University of Cyprus. She has worked in the child protection field in England and she has a PhD from the London School of Economics. Her research interests include child protection practice and social work education.