Supervision, support and professional development for newly qualified social workers in Aotearoa New Zealand
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Date
5/08/2020
Open Access Location
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Many social work professional bodies and regulators mandate regular
supervision and professional development. Supervision is believed to support continuing
development of professional skills, safeguarding of competent and ethical practice, oversight of
the practitioner’s work for adherence to organisational expectations, and support for practitioner
wellbeing.
METHOD: Phase two of the Enhancing the Readiness to Practice of Newly Qualified Social
Workers (Enhance R2P) project employed a mixed methods study (surveys and interviews) to
explore how well prepared newly qualified social workers (NQSWs) are, in their first two years
of practice, to enter professional social work. A survey of managers/supervisors and NQSWs in
Aotearoa New Zealand about the readiness to practise of recent graduates was conducted.
FINDINGS: Questions about supervision and professional development were included in the
survey and in interviews with both NQSWs and supervisors/managers. Around half of NQSWs
were supervised at least once every two weeks, but another half were supervised monthly or
less frequently. Observation of practice by supervisors was either very infrequent or entirely
absent from the professional development of NQSWs.
IMPLICATIONS: Study findings revealed great variability in the formal supervision and other
supports available for NQSWs which may impact on retention and practitioner wellbeing. More
integrated systems of supervision, peer support and planned professional development are
needed.
Description
Keywords
Newly qualified social workers, supervision, professional development
Citation
Aotearoa New Zealand Social Work, 2020, 2020, 32 (2), pp. 17 - 31