Evaluating Standards of Social Work Supervision in Child Welfare and Hospital Social Work

Abstract

Using the Recommended Standards for Social Work Supervision developed by the Australian Association of Social Workers, supervisors and supervisees who occupied social work positions in Community Services Victoria (CSV), a statutory child welfare department (N=94) and in nine Melbourne teaching hospitals (N=139) completed self-administered questionnaires on the nature of the supervision which they gave or received. The extent to which reported supervisory practices conform to key recommended standards is analysed. The standards were upheld to a greater degree in hospital social work than in statutory child welfare. However, only minor differences between the two fields were found in the degree to which supervision was perceived to encompass administrative, educational and supportive functions. The findings provide a baseline for evaluating changes in supervisory practices within and between different fields of practice. They are also useful for agencies trying to develop performance indicators in the area of supervision standards and practices.