Supervision II: Advanced Topics, Ethics and Law

This course approved for New Jersey social workers.

This is an intermediate course on supervision which outlines strategies for providing competency-based supervisory practices that limit risk and enhance professional development for all involved. While it is relatively easy to read about how to supervise, it is far more challenging to provide supervision that facilitates learning, promotes passion for the profession, and encourages trainees to excel in their areas of expertise. For those who currently supervise, as well as those who are considering providing supervision for the first time, this course will present clinical ideas and provide vignettes that will enhance your critical thinking and ethical decision-making.

This course is comprised of eight articles, two of which have audio versions, and one self-test quiz. The first article provides basic information about creating optimal supervision and maintaining best practices for the supervisory experience. The next two articles review guidelines and a rationale for trauma informed supervision. Following this are several articles on the topic of ethics in supervision, including models for ethical decision-making. The same section contains several articles highlighting components of “harmful” supervision, including recommendations for avoiding such interactions. In the last section, a supervisorial “self-test” is provided and with clinical vignettes to challenge your knowledge regarding supervision and to promote ethical decision-making skills.