Current trends in documenting supervision in social work

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25128/2520-6230.25.4.6

Keywords:

supervision in social work, standards of supervision in social work, documentation, professional records, supervision agreement, record (protocol) of an individual supervision session

Abstract

The article presents an analysis of current trends in the development of supervision in social work in the international and Ukrainian context and their impact on the process of documentation of supervision as a factor in ensuring the quality of social services. These trends relate to the development of new models and approaches to supervision (for example, outcome-focused supervision and strengths-based approach focusing on the supervisee), as well as strengthening the supportive function of supervision to prevent burnout and secondary traumatization in social workers and the introduction of technical innovations into the process of its implementation.

The analysis made it possible to determine the essence of documentation as an integral part of the professional duties of specialists responsible for supervision and to describe the importance of maintaining professional records regarding supervisory support for social service personnel and effective management of an institution or facility. As a result, the conclusion was formed that documentation is a key prerequisite for ensuring compliance with standards, consistently high quality of social work and providing systematic professional support to social workers. Clearly structured records, such as a supervision agreement and protocols (cards) of an individual supervision sessions, not only create a basis for recording important information, planning actions with subsequent tracking of changes, but also ensure transparency and efficiency of the supervision process.

The described models and practical examples of professional records (protocols of individual sessions), which are presented in the article, can be a resource for organizations and supervisors to improve the effectiveness of their work.

Author Biographies

Olena Savchuk, National University of  “Kyiv-Mohyla Academy”, Kyiv

 PhD in Psychology, Associate Professor of School of Social Work named V. I. Poltavets

Kateryna Kalnytska, National University of  “Kyiv-Mohyla Academy”, Kyiv

PhD in Psychology, Associate Professor of School of Social Work named V. I. Poltavets

Lilia Duma, National University of  “Kyiv-Mohyla Academy”, Kyiv

MA of Social Work, Senior Lecturer of School of Social Work

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Published

2025-12-30

How to Cite

Savchuk, O. ., Kalnytska, K. ., & Duma, L. . (2025). Current trends in documenting supervision in social work. Social Work and Education, 12(4), 634–649. https://doi.org/10.25128/2520-6230.25.4.6

Issue

Section

RECENT ISSUES IN SOCIAL WORK