Publications from ODSW Social Work Supervsion | Seite 31

Dialogue Session: Dilemmas in Social Work Supervision and the Way Forward

both front-line social workers and supervisors should do reflections about their experience
in the supervision session, and supervisors should be monitored as they are responsible for
the performance of their staff.
Moving Forward, Next 5 Years…
Ms Lee then posed a final question to the panellists to wrap up the session by asking each
of them to share one area in which social work supervision in Singapore could be
challenged towards in the next 5 years. Prof. Tsui summed it up in one word “Direction”.
This dire ction could be in two ways: voluntary or mandatory – and this would depend on
the context of the country that social work supervision is placed in. For example, what
takes place in Hong Kong with regards to social work supervision may not be the same as
what Singapore should be doing for social work supervision. A/P Kieran mentioned that it
is worthwhile investing in the development of supervisors. There is a need for a clear
mandate of the training and development needed. It is also important to have an
organisational culture that supports the development of the supervisors. There is also a
need for everyone to move in the same direction regarding the degree of practice of
supervision in health organisations, NGOs, and statutory and welfare agencies. Lastly, it is
important to reinforce the transfer of learning and have it embedded in the system, as it
has been found that it is common for training not to translate into practice.
Dr Wong remarked that there has to be a shared vision on supervision. Social work
supervisors could consider different possibilities, and work towards a direction and
consensus. Her dream is for a culturally relevant supervision to be embraced by supervisors
as a personal, professional and organizational response.
Ms Lee concluded the dialogue session by commenting that there is a need for people to
start thinking about how they may have structured platforms for supervisors to come
together to share their experiences with supervision. She encouraged the participants to
take up this responsibility and to make that dream come true.

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