What is the impact of supervision on direct practice with families?

Supervision has been described as the “pivot” upon which the integrity and excellence of social work practice can be maintained. However, there is little research that examines its impact on how social workers work directly with children and their families. Where effectiveness studies exist, they tend to explore the impact of supervision on organisational and staff-related outcomes such as retention rates or worker well-being. The current study focuses on one specific sub-category of the wider supervision and practice literature: systemic group supervision or “systemic supervision” and is based on a wider evaluation of systemic social work practice in the UK. The paper pairs observations of systemic supervision (n = 14) and observations of direct practice (n = 18) in peoples' homes. It presents correlational data on the relationship between supervision quality and direct practice quality to assess whether there is an association between the two practice forums. The paper demonstrates that there is a statistically significant relationship between supervision quality and overall quality of direct practice. Supervision was also associated with relationship-building skills and use of “good authority” skills; that is, practice that was more purposeful, child-focused and risks to children better articulated. Interestingly, where a clinician qualified in systemic family therapy was present in supervision, this was associated with both improved supervisory and direct practice quality. This suggests that there may be an important association between the discussions held in systemic supervision, particularly where a clinician is present and the quality of conversations that practitioners have with children and families. These findings contribute to a growing body of knowledge about the relationship between effective supervision and direct practice within children and families social work. •Pairs observations of systemic supervision with observations of direct practice.•Supervision and direct practice independently assessed for quality.•Systemically-informed supervision associated with skilful practice with families.•This includes both relationship-building and use of “good authority” skills.•Systemically-trained clinicians associated with improved supervisory and practice.•High quality supervision has the potential to support and shape “practice-making.”