Supervision and Professional Development in Social Work Practice

Supervision and Professional Development in Social Work Practice aims to familiarize its readers with the current state of supervision in social work, provide them a common platform for reflection and action and thereby promote excellence in their respective learning, research and professional practice areas. It incorporates contributions by scholars, practitioners and students from various backgrounds, professional disciplines and countries. The ideas, concepts and practice frameworks discussed in this book are useful in any human service context. However, they need to be adapted with cultural sensitivity and appropriate levels of consultation and guidance to effectively challenge prevalent practice frameworks and support the embracing of new ideas to enhance professional and authentic engagement. The book utilizes several research studies, views, experiences and reflections, and includes numerous Voices from the Field, which provide diverse perspectives and viewpoints as well as practical help.

This book will prove indispensable for academicians, practitioners, supervisors and supervisees as well as postgraduate and advanced undergraduate students of social work, counselling, psychology and education.

Amanda M. Nickson, BSW, MSW, PhD, is a social worker with over 35 years of experience. She currently runs her own business, Interactive Solutions (www.interactivesolutions.org.au), engaged in training, supervision and organizational consultancy. Amanda’s PhD was on exploring peer group supervision in virtual teams in rural and remote Australia. She has many years of experience as a supervisor. Amanda has conducted several training workshops for the Australian Association of Social Workers on supervision and other topics of interest. She is a leading expert in her field. Amanda has worked in a number of roles which include positions with government, nongovernment organizations, private practice and academia. She has worked in a range of fields: community development, individual and family work, group work and community education, for statutory and non-statutory agencies, covering issues as diverse as child protection, juvenile justice, adoptions, health, defence, homelessness, domestic violence, finance and refugees. She lectured on social work for 13 years at the James Cook University, Townsville. Amanda has worked in rural and remote communities as well as metropolitan and regional cities. She is passionate about good supervision being available to all social workers and human services workers.

Margaret-Anne Carter is a highly respected teaching academic, researcher, professional and practitioner within the counselling field. Margaret-Anne has a broad knowledge base and a depth of experience in leading and building others’ capacity in areas related to her fields of expertise. Margaret-Anne values research- and evidence-based practice and strives to incorporate this into her current role as the National Chair for Counselling with the Australian College of Applied Psychology. Margaret-Anne has a proven track record in counsellor education in designing high-quality, up-to-date teaching and learning spaces and training resource materials on the basis of current research and legislation and tailored to diverse communities of practice. Margaret-Anne has proven outcomes in leading capacity building programmes in higher education and the wider community, and developing sustainable internationalized, multicultural and culturally responsive approaches to teaching, learning and assessment.

Abraham P. Francis is an Associate Professor and currently the Head of Academic Group in Social Work and Human Services at James Cook University, Australia. He has worked with government, non-government and corporate sector and has developed many international partnerships. He taught social work at the University of Delhi in India and worked as a senior mental health social worker with Country Health South Australia before moving to Townsville to join James Cook University.