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A golden thread? The relationship between supervision, practice, and family engagement in child and family social work

  • David Wilkins
    ,
  • Amy Lynch
    ,
  • Paraskevi Antonopoulou
Research Output:
Contribution to journal
Article
 Peer-review

Open access

Abstract

Within the social work profession, supervision is highly valued. Yet it is not clear how supervision supports good practice or how supervision makes a difference for children and families. In this study, using paired observations of group supervision and family meetings alongside interviews with parents, we explored the link between supervision, practice, and engagement. Considering each data set separately, we found a range of skill levels within the supervision discussions and in the meetings with families. Parents reported generally high levels of satisfaction with the service and in relation to their individual worker. But more importantly, we found a “golden thread” between certain elements of supervision, more skilful practice, and improved parental engagement. We discuss these key elements in detail and consider what these findings tell us about good supervision and what difference it can make for families and children.

Publication Information

Output type

Research Output:
Contribution to journal
Article
 Peer-review

Original language

English

Pages from-to (Number of pages)

Pages 494-503

Journal (Volume, Issue Number)

Child and Family Social Work (Volume 23, Issue 3)

Publication milestones

  • Published - 25/03/2018

Publication status

Published - 25/03/2018

ISSN

1356-7500

Publication IDs

  • handle.net: 10547/622784
  • Scopus: 85044412477

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