This study analyzes obstacles to supervision which is un being carried out in social welfare agencies in Korea. The study discusses solutions to resolve the issues identified. The present practices of supervision in the agencies is not systematic or p...
This study analyzes obstacles to supervision which is un being carried out in social welfare agencies in Korea. The study discusses solutions to resolve the issues identified. The present practices of supervision in the agencies is not systematic or practical. Rather, it seems that it is just a nominal supervision named for convenience of the administrative instruction of service. Many researchers suggest various reasons for this process; however, this research notes that a significant difference exists between the supervision of the agencies and that carried out by social workers. In many research papers, it is stated that social workers as a supervisee prefer educational supervision, whereas the administrative supervision is favored by the agencies and the supervisors. Almost all the supervisors are committed to follow the agencies policy on supervision. For this reason, it may be essential to remove the structural obstacles and give the supervisor more flexibility and choice.
Agencies view social work supervision from two main perspectives.
Firstly supervision is viewed as a purchase rather than an expenses This perspective considers supervision as a production cost rather than a revenue producer. As a production cost the agency needs to manage supervision so that it does not:
a. increase the cost of producing outcomes.
b. reduce the volume of outcomes produced, therin reducing the amount of revenue available to the agency.
The second perspective that agencies' view social work supervision as a risk management system which protects the agency from being blamed for unethical and unprofessional practice by its social workers and social work supervisors.
I, therefore, suggest four solutions to help resolve the issues.
a. ensure professionalism of social workers.
b. ensure that the agencies are fair and democratic. - Social worker and client group should be independent from management.
c. improve the assessment methods of social welfare agencies.
d. introduce a certificate for the supervisor and an independent professional outside supervisor.