"An honorable human relationship ... is a process, delicate, violent, and often terrifying to both persons involved, a process of refining truths they can tell each other. " - Adrienne Rich
In this fourth
installment of our series: Social Work Values in Supervision, we will be
reviewing the value: Importance of Human Relationships as it pertains to
Supervision. This is the fourth value in
the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics. Be sure to
check out the other articles in this series: Part 1 Service, Part
2: Social Justice and Part 3 Dignity and Worth of a
Person at besupervised.blogspot.com.
The values covered in
this series will be: Service, Social Justice, Dignity and Worth of a Person,
Importance of Human Relationships, Integrity, and Competence in this order.
Value: Importance of Human
Relationships
Ethical Principle:
“Social workers recognize the central importance of human relationships. Social workers understand that relationships between and among people are an important vehicle for change. Social workers engage people as partners in the helping process. Social workers seek to strengthen relationships among people in a purposeful effort to promote, restore, maintain, and enhance the well-being of individuals, families, social groups, organizations, and communities (NASW).”
“Social workers recognize the central importance of human relationships. Social workers understand that relationships between and among people are an important vehicle for change. Social workers engage people as partners in the helping process. Social workers seek to strengthen relationships among people in a purposeful effort to promote, restore, maintain, and enhance the well-being of individuals, families, social groups, organizations, and communities (NASW).”
The supervisory relationship is complex and can consist of several elements including mentor, coach, professional colleague, and supportive listener. But at it's core it is a relationship between two people. Providing quality
supervision to Social Work colleagues should be viewed especially through the
lens of this value.
Application in Supervision:
Because
the supervisory relationship can be highly complex supervisors should always
remember that one of the best ways to honor this Social Work value is through
the creation of a supervision contract. Contracts clearly establish the roles
and the boundaries of the supervisory relationship which outlines the respect
each party should have for the supervisory relationship.
In addition to discussing complex client caseloads, supervisees may also share sensitive information during sessions which should be met with empathy, understanding, and compassion. While supervision is not meant to be counseling, it is meant to offer coaching which can not only help supervisees feel their workplace concerns are heard, but also that there is a solution to those concerns.
Tip: Asking questions like: “So what now” if problems still lay ahead helps begin the process of helping supervisees develop a plan. Or instead asking the question, “what would you do differently next time,” if the problem is already in the past are both examples of coaching questions that can facilitate mental and emotional processing needed to address workplace issues.
In addition to discussing complex client caseloads, supervisees may also share sensitive information during sessions which should be met with empathy, understanding, and compassion. While supervision is not meant to be counseling, it is meant to offer coaching which can not only help supervisees feel their workplace concerns are heard, but also that there is a solution to those concerns.
Tip: Asking questions like: “So what now” if problems still lay ahead helps begin the process of helping supervisees develop a plan. Or instead asking the question, “what would you do differently next time,” if the problem is already in the past are both examples of coaching questions that can facilitate mental and emotional processing needed to address workplace issues.
Supervisors model the Importance of Human Relationships through the creation of
a supervision contract which clearly outlines the boundaries of the
relationship, but also through compassionate teacher, mentor, and coach when
needed.
Please leave a comment
and let us know your thoughts on this article. If you liked what you read
please like our blog,besupervised.blogspot.com, or follow us on Facebook (@LISWSupervision),
or on LinkedIn at Be Supervised.
Resources
National
Association of Social Workers (1996). The
Code of Ethics for the National Association of Social Workers.
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