Publications from ODSW Social Work Supervsion | Page 49

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

In Mode 1, the focus is on the client and what and how they present their issues. In Mode
2, the focus is on the exploration of strategies and interventions used by the supervisee.
Mode 3 focuses on the relationship between the client and the supervisee while Mode 4
focuses on the supervisee. In Mode 5, the focus is on the supervisory relationship whereas
in Mode 6, the supervisor focuses on their own process. Mode 7 focuses on the wider
context in which the work happens.
Hence, using this model, Dr Wong gave the example of how a supervisor would want to
know the client’s profile, and explore how the client was referred, how the referral process
may have impacted the client’s perception of attending the session and hence how it
impacted the way the supervisee experienced the client in session.
Methodology
The research study utilised constructivist grounded theory as a method. Epistemologically,
constructivism emphasizes the subjective interrelationship between the researcher and the
participant, and the co-construction of meaning. Given the different variations of grounded
theory, “Constructivist Grounded Theory” as proposed by Charmaz (2000) was chosen as
the method of inquiry for this study.
“Here, realities are multiple and the viewer is part of what is viewed.
Subjectivities matter. Values shape what stands as fact. To the extent possible,
constructivist grounded theorists enter the studied phenomenon and attempt
to see it from the inside. Researchers and participants co-construct the data
through interaction. Data reflect the historical, social and situational locations,
including those of the researcher.” – Charmaz, 2011, p.366
Sampling Method
Purposeful sampling method was used as Dr Wong was targeted in what she was looking
for, that is, social work supervisors with managerial and clinical roles in community-based
social service organisations. For maximum variation sampling, participants with different
years of experience and different genders were selected from FSCs and youth
organisations. Dr Wong shared that as her interviews continued, she realised that faith
based agencies were a critical area to look at, as the perspective of spirituality came out
very strongly among workers in these agencies. In addition, single and multi-centred
agencies experienced supervision very differently. Different supervision formats, such as
group and individual supervision sessions, as well as supervision by non-social work
supervisors were also areas for consideration.
Types of data collected
In total, 13 supervisory sessions on casework were observed, with 10 individual casework
supervisory sessions and 3 group/programme supervisory sessions. The time taken for
supervisory sessions ranged from 52 minutes to 2.5 hours. In addition, a total of 27
supervisors were interviewed, and the time taken for interviews ranged from 46 minutes to
1 hour 36 mins. Furthermore, 2 types of group interviews were utilised, namely, theoretical
group interview and group validation interview. For the theoretical group interview,
respondents were given a presentation of the interim analysis for their comments so as to
further develop the content of the emerging model. Group validation interviews were
conducted with 6 expert trainers/academics on supervision and management, where they
were asked for a “match between their experiences and the emerging model”

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