SUPERVISION AND ETHICS
Keywords:
supervision, supervisee, supervisor, social work, ethicsAbstract
Supervision in social work is one of the main tools for monitoring compliance with ethics in social work. At the same time, it presents supervisees and supervisors with various ethical dilemmas. Very little research has been devoted to ethics in social work supervision, so this issue remains relevant and understudied.
This article examines the ethical issues in supervision and social work through the eyes of supervisees and the supervisor for the well-being of social service users. Interviews were conducted with 12 social workers working in social services. 6 work in children's services, and 6 in adult services. At the same time, in July 2024, 5 interviews were also conducted with supervisors. A qualitative analysis of the interview data was conducted, and the main ethical issues faced by supervisees and supervisors during supervision in social services were identified. A qualitative analysis of the interview data was conducted, and the main ethical issues faced by supervisees and supervisors during supervision were identified. The following themes emerged from the interviews with supervisees: 1. Personal and methodological ethical challenges, 2. Cultural differences and ethics, 3. Human rights and self-determination, 4. Supervision and professionalism, 5. Honesty and confidentiality, 6. Accepting gifts and professional boundaries, 7. Professional experience and supervision. The themes from the supervisor interviews are: 1. Ethical issues in relationships with older social workers 2. Gifts and ethics, 3. Expectations of ready-made solutions from supervisors, 4. Accountability and empowerment through supervision, 5. Cultural differences and teamwork. 6. Fear of evaluation and lack of openness. The themes outlined highlight ethical issues in supervision and social work. It is important to discuss ethics in supervision because it can directly affect the lives and well-being of social service users.
The decisions made during the supervision process are essential to the social worker's practice and invariably relate to the care of the social service user.
The lack of a shared understanding of the purpose of supervision, the unacknowledged need to apply ethical standards in social work, and the lack of quality standards for supervision emerge as insurmountable barriers to implementing effective and ethical supervision in Bulgaria.
Realizing that professionals may choose different ways of acting in the same situation is essential. There is rarely one correct answer to a complex ethical dilemma. However, if ethical standards are followed, the effect of supervision will be felt on several levels: in the relationship with social service users, the relationship with the team and the relationship with management.
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