Publications from ODSW Social Work Supervsion | Página 48

Workshop 2: Challenges and Responses of Social Work Supervisors with Managerial and Clinical Roles

2.1 To understand the qualities, beliefs and ethics of social work
supervisors as a ‘person’
2.2 To examine ‘process’ of social work supervision, in the clinical role
of social work supervisors within the supervisory relationship and
organisational contexts
2.3 To examine ‘process’ of social work supervision, in the managerial
role of social work supervisors within the supervisory relationship and
organisational contexts
3. To recommend ways to improve social work supervisory practice in the local
context
Theoretical Framework, Conceptual Framework
Dr Wong further shared the theoretical framework of the thesis, which consists of the role
strain theory and the seven-eyed process supervision model which conceptualises
supervision for social work supervisors with managerial and clinical roles. The role strain
theory suggests that “role strain is the felt difficulty in fulfilling role obligations and it is an
invariable consequence of inter- and intra-role conflicts” (Handel, 1993). Hence, social work
supervisors experience the dilemma of “autonomy and control” as well as to “support and
challenge”. For example, managers may want control but professionals may want
autonomy. Dr Wong further illustrated this point by sharing an experience she had
supervising her supervisees where they had differing opinions but she would constantly ask
them to consider the managerial perspective instead of rejecting the supervisees’
suggestions.
The “seven eyed model of supervision for the helping profession” is a clinical model used
mainly in the helping professions. It posits that supervisors need to think of the different
contexts each time a supervisee enters a supervision session.

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