Social work supervision in Malta: A specialism in the making

ABSTRACT

The leitmotif for this piece is the development of social work supervision in Malta as a specialism. As background, I present concentric circles of influence on supervision. I first consider Malta’s geo-socio-cultural context, then the professional status of social work, followed with a focus on supervision. I next introduce the supervisors and review pertinent research studies, followed by supervisor education and supervisory practices, and then propose recommendations for future practice and research. Finally, I ask: Can social work supervision in Malta be considered a specialism in the making? My answer is yes, but it is at a rudimentary stage of development.

KEYWORDS:

• Social work
• social work supervision
• Malta
• social work specialism

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes

1. I am aware of this as I formed part of the task group working on the Continuing Professional Development requirements.

2. I am aware of this through my professional contacts with the agencies and from information given to me by the agency managers.

3. I am aware of this as I was the person responsible for the various supervision training courses.

4. I am aware of this as I was responsible for this training program.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Maureen Cole

Maureen Cole, B.A. (Melit.), B.Soc.Wk.(Hons.) (Monash), Ph.D.(UEA), is a senior lecturer in social work, Department of Social Policy and Social Work, Faculty for Social Wellbeing, University of Malta. Her main teaching responsibilities center on social work theory and practice, and on social work supervision. Maureen’s research focus is the practice and experience of social work supervision. She also maintains a small supervisory practice.