SELF-SUPERVISION AS A REFLECTIVE AND PROTECTIVE PRACTICE AMONG NOVICE SOCIAL WORK SUPERVISORS:
A QUALITATIVE STUDY
Katarína Vanková
Abstrakt: Reflective practice is widely recognised as a core competence in social work supervision. However, self-supervision as an internal and independent reflective process remains underexplored, particularly among novice supervisors. Aim: This study aims to explore how novice social work supervisors perceive and apply self-supervision in relation to self-observation, self-assessment, and mental hygiene. Methods: A qualitative research design was employed using semi-structured interviews with seven novice supervisors working in different regions of Slovakia. Data were analysed using open coding and thematic categorisation. Results: Four key categories emerged: (1) conceptual understanding of self-supervision, (2) self-observation in supervisory practice, (3) self-reflection and self-assessment, and (4) the contribution of self-supervision to mental hygiene and burnout prevention. Participants described self-supervision as a routine and meaningful practice that enhances professional judgement, emotional awareness, and ethical responsibility. Conclusion: The findings suggest that self-supervision constitutes a vital component of professional reflexivity and self-care for novice supervisors. Its systematic integration into supervision training and social work education may strengthen professional competence, support mental wellbeing, and enhance the quality of supervisory practice.
Keywords: Self-supervision. Social work supervision. Novice supervisors. Reflective practice. Burnout prevention. Mental wellbeing.
Pages: 19-40
Doi: -temp-
Source: Pomáhajúce profesie, 2026, vol. 9, issue 1, pp. 19-40 (PDF)
Language: English
