Educational Process in Supervision

Abstract

Supervision in social casework is an educational process and teaching, therefore, is the primary function of the supervisor. According to this view, all the aspects of supervision—administering, teaching-consulting, and evaluation—are parts of this total process since each of them involves learning content that contributes to the attainment of the supervisory aim of helping in the development of professional workers who are self-directing, self-disciplined, and increasingly skilful in giving service to clients. The effectiveness of supervisory methods in achieving this aim can be measured by the extent to which these methods facilitate the learning process.

The importance of the relationship between the supervisor and the worker has been stressed, since this relationship is the medium through which learning takes place and through which purpose and goals are achieved.

Recognition has been given to the fact that the worker's emotional involvement is sometimes the cause of problems in practice. On the premise that self-awareness is a necessary part of the knowledge that the worker must acquire, it is the supervisor's responsibility to help him realize the need for it, if feeling reactions are interfering with performance. There are, however, ways to help the worker achieve this self-knowledge other than by focusing directly on his personality. Also, difficulties that frequently are attributed to the personal problems of the worker may be the result of lack of knowledge, or due to the anxiety that arises when the worker's emotional balance is threatened by his lack of knowledge. Teaching is therefore the first choice of the methods available to the supervisor. An educational approach based on a diagnosis of the worker's learning needs helps in assuring that he will have the knowledge he requires to arrive at a full and emotional understanding of the client and his situation, to formulate the long-range casework goals, and to plan the steps he will take in the process of helping the client attain these goals.