Field Supervision in Social Work NKU Field Supervisor Training by Rachael Winters MSW, LISW

Great FrontPage features Objectives Definition of Supervision Components of Supervision Recommended Strategies Most Common Ethical Dilemmas

Great FrontPage features Supervision: Definition A face to face interaction between supervisor and supervisee (student) to enhance professional skills, knowledge and attitudes in order to achieve competency in providing quality patient/client care. Supervision is not an , a quick interaction in a hallway, lunch chat, an evaluation, a phone call or “as needed”. Most new social workers have never had what we define as “supervision” in a work setting.

Great FrontPage features Components of Supervision 1.Administrative: focuses on accountability. Is the work being performed? Is student following agency policies? Attendance, timeliness, dress, professional writing, professional language, etc. 2.Educational: Learning skills such as motivational interviewing or suicide risk assessment. Development of self- awareness. Gathering local, state and federal resources…learning the “system”. 3.Supportive: Decreasing job related stress and increasing job performance. Debriefing stressful situations, linking work to mission of agency, linking work to values of social work and helping student develop their ability to disconnect from work in a healthy manner.

Great FrontPage features Supervision Strategies Weekly meeting with you and the student. Conducted in a place protected from interruptions. This may not be possible but do your best! Focus on objectives of the student learning contract, case management, development of skills/ knowledge and development of self awareness. Use tools – case files, case presentations, role playing. Document your time and items covered. Stay Away From: Providing personal therapy for the student, getting bogged down in discussions about their difficult work/school schedule or doing their homework for them.

5 Dangerous D’s in Supervision Dual Relationships: A dual relationship exists when a relationship other than a professional one exists. Boundary Issues/violations Real life Role Difficulties Case Manager turned Supervisor Work Family – long term employees Red Flags: Extended sessions with clients, overprotecting, over- identifying, self-disclosure, touching, off-hours contact, giving out cell phone number, gift giving, hiding from a supervisor.

Great FrontPage features 5 Dangerous D’s in Supervision Description of Position – Expectations Unclear Job Descriptions or Duties Right to routine supervision Pro-Active Performance Evaluations Clear Disciplinary Actions Red Flag: Absence of on-going disciplinary actions but you give a horrible performance evaluation or a mid-term evaluation.

Great FrontPage features 5 Dangerous D’s in Supervision Documentation Protection Against Allegations Fair Disciplinary Actions Supervision Delivery of high quality services

Great FrontPage features 5 Dangerous D’s in Supervision Duty to Warn & Duty to Act Warning 3 rd a party of potential danger. Assessing for Suicidal Risk Calling for Help – What is my Role? Identifying and Documenting issues around child and adult protection Red Flag: Ignoring or being in denial of serious situations. Not challenging the “system” or surrendering to “how things are”.

Great FrontPage features 5 Dangers D’s in Supervision Dilemmas, Decision Making and Discretion Provide Code of Ethics to supervisee and review problem areas when cases are presented. Discuss and Reflect on past ethical situations with student. Communicate Dilemmas before they become nightmares. Document from the beginning Conduct an Ethical Audit with your team.

Great FrontPage features Group Exercise! Dual Relationships  Description of Position (expectations)  Documentation  Duty to Warn  Dilemmas Please identify which possible dangerous dilemma(s) you have encountered and how you might handle these situations with a student in supervision. What questions might you ask of the student? What administrative, educational and supportive responses might you use? Administrative Educational Supportive

Great FrontPage features Ethical Supervision in Social Work Thank you! References: Supervisor, Beware: Ethical Dangers in Supervision Dewane, Claudia Social Work Today Vol. 7, No.4 p. 34 Ethical Decision Making Meets the Real World of Field Work Mattison, Marian The New Social Worker Vol. 10 No. 2 Supervision and the Clinical Social Worker Coleman, Mirean Clinical Social Work Vol. 3 No. 2