Publications from ODSW Social Work Supervsion | Page 12

Day 1 Keynote 1: Features, Nature and Culture of Social Work Supervision

Day 1 Keynote 1: Features, Nature and Culture
of Social Work Supervision
Professor Tsui Ming-Sum
Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Department of Applied Social Sciences

Introduction
Prof. Tsui began by noting that he believes supervision simplified, is learning from one’s
boss or superior. He then flashed a picture of two hands clasping together to illustrate the
collaborative and supportive aspects of supervision. Traditionally, the aim of social work
supervision is simply for supervisees to learn from their supervisors. He moved on to
explain that supervision should move away from the traditional model to aim to ultimately
improve the well-being of the client. This would start with supervision enhancing the
professional competence of the worker, which will increase the job satisfaction of the
worker which will in turn cause an increase in the quality of service and the client outcome.
Integration of 11 Models of Supervision
Prof. Tsui moved on to share a proposed 3-D model of social work supervision that
integrates 11 different models of supervision. He shared that 4 parties are involved in
supervision, namely, the client, the supervisee, the supervisor and the agency.
CONTEXT

Agency
(Goals, Structure, & Process)

SUPERVISORY
RELATIONSHIP

Policy &
Regulation

Supervisor
(Roles, styles, & skills)

Supplier / Consumer
Relationship

Contract

Format

Administrative

Functions
&
Tasks

Educational

SUPERVISORY
RELATIONSHIP

Stage

Client
(Problem Outcome)

Worker-client
Relationship

Supervisee
(Needs & satisfaction)

SOCIAL
WORK
INTERVENTION

Supportive

Figure 1:

A Proposed Model of Social Work Supervision
Developed from Western Literature
Taken from Slides Presented at SWAAB

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