This page covers three key areas in relation to Supervision:
1. Supervision Standard in the SWRB Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for Social Workers
2. IASW Supervision Standards for Social Workers
3. Accessing External Supervision
1. Supervision Standard in the SWRB Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for Social Workers
The Social Workers Registration Board at CORU published a revised Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for Social Workers in 2019. Failure to meet the standards set out in the Code can result in a complaint of professional misconduct being made about the registrant. Section 27.1(c) outlines Responsibilities specific to Social Workers, and states that social workers "must seek and engage in supervision in professional practice on an on-going and regular basis, in line with your knowledge, skills, competence and experience."
2. Promoting Quality Professional Supervision: IASW Standards for Social Workers (2016)
The IASW developed a standards document to promote best practice and strengthen standards of professional supervision for all professionally qualified social workers. The document sets standards in relation to the frequency and duration of supervision. As a minimum, social workers receive planned supervision every four to six weeks for 1.5 - 2 hours. For social workers in their first year of practice, the IASW recommends a minimum of fortnightly supervision for the first three months and every four weeks for the remainder of the probationary period.
With regard to the training and CPD of supervisors, the standard is that "supervisors are appropriately trained and experienced to provide supervision and demonstrate a commitment to professional practice and to maintaining up-to-date knowledge."
Members can log into https://www.iasw.ie/members/iasw-cpd-resources to download a copy.
3. Accessing External Supervision
The IASW is aware that some social workers do not have access to supervision from a suitably qualified social worker and so need to seek supervision outside their agency. Hence the IASW offers a Supervision Directory here.
CPD Module: Introduction to Professional Supervision for HSCPs
The HSE Health and Social Care Professions Office has developed an online module to provide training in the core elements of a generic programme in supervision while acknowledging the many different models of supervision. A small group of subject matter experts worked on the development of the eLearning module which takes about an hour to complete.
To access the module you will need to first login to HSELAND. You do not need to work for the HSE to sign up for HSEland - all social workers can create an account.
Click on 'My learning'
Click on 'Learning catalogues'
Scroll down to the section for HSCPs, click on it and options will open up
There are two professional supervision modules; Professional Supervision for HSCPs is the module developed by the HSCP Office.
