Co-Supervisees as Siblings: A Study of Student Trainees Sharing the Same Supervisor

Abstract

This qualitative study identifies similarities in relationships between co-supervisees sharing the same fieldwork supervisor and that of siblings in the same family. Social work students’ written replies reveal a range of functions served by the co-supervisee, similar to some of the functions served by siblings, as well as a mixture of positive and negative feelings toward their co-supervisees resembling those of siblings toward one another. The findings highlight the importance of the co-supervisory relationship to students’ professional development. Practical recommendations focus on supervisor behaviors to encourage the potential benefits inherent in co-supervisory situations and ameliorate potentially negative impacts of co-supervisory rivalries.

KEYWORDS:

• co-supervisee relations
• fieldwork supervision
• professional parent
• siblings
• supervisors
• supervisory relationship