Social work supervision serves as a critical bridge between education, licensure, and professional practice. Despite its centrality to the profession, supervision is often inconsistently implemented, variably structured, and underexamined in both scholarship and policy. This Banded Dissertation (BD) examines the role of high-quality supervision in fostering competence and confidence among social workers. The first product, a conceptual paper titled Supervision in Social Work: Why Quality Matters, analyzes the historical evolution, purposes, and outcomes of social work supervision. It highlights supervision’s role in bridging gaps between academic preparation and licensure requirements while addressing systemic inequities in professional development. The second product is a qualitative research study, Exploring Supervisees’ Perspectives on Effective Supervision, which examines supervision from the perspective of supervisees and identifies key elements that contribute to meaningful supervisory experiences. The third product is a peer reviewed conference presentation delivered at the Minnesota Social Services Association (MSSA) Annual Conference, titled Supervision for Licensure: Why It Matters. This presentation translates the conceptual and empirical findings into practical guidance for supervisors and supervisees, emphasizing competency development. Collectively, these products demonstrate that evidence-based supervision is essential for cultivating competent and confident social workers and ultimately improving client outcomes. The dissertation concludes with recommendations for policy, practice, and future research, advocating for standardized supervision training, expanded access to quality supervision, and competency-based models aligned with contemporary social work practice.
- Supervision Matters : Shaping Competent and Confident Social Workers
- Amanda R. Thooft
- Robin R. Whitebird - University of St. Thomas, School of Social Work
- University of St. Thomas; Doctor of Social Work (DSW)
- Banded Dissertation
- 114
- School of Social Work
- English
- Dissertation
- 991015438445403691