Field supervisors don’t just train future social workers—they shape the future of the profession. While balancing this role alongside daily responsibilities may seem overwhelming, it’s an opportunity for both mentorship and professional growth.”Taking on a leadership role of this importance may feel intimidating at first, especially when added to our current work duties, but it’s a professional milestone to embrace and a rich opportunity for continued growth, gaining supervisory experience and giving back to the field of social work.
What is Field Supervision?
The National Association of Social Workers defines professional field supervision as “the relationship between supervisor and supervisee in which the responsibility and accountability for the development of competence, demeanor, and ethical practice take place. The supervisor is responsible for providing direction to the supervisee, who applies social work theory, standardized knowledge skills, competency, and applicable ethical content in the practice setting. The supervisor and the supervisee both share responsibility for carrying out their role in this collaborative process.”
Field placements are an extension of the classroom, providing experiential learning opportunities in real world social work settings and field supervisors are the guide, tasked with mentoring students and bridging the gap between theory and practice. The relationship between a field supervisor and student is similar to that of a parent and young child, in the sense that field supervisors act as the supportive and secure base from which young social workers grow. We teach and model how to move through the stages of work with clients, side by side, until they’re able to do so independently. When they’re meeting with clients independently, we’re offering feedback during clinical supervision as well as support and encouragement in order to build their confidence as they prepare to go out into the work world without us.
A Full-Circle Moment for Social Workers
Providing field supervision has been one of my favorite and most fulfilling experiences as a social worker. It opened up a new path for me while offering an opportunity to reflect on my own growth in the field, from an inexperienced social work intern to field supervisor. Until I started providing field supervision, I hadn’t realized the breadth and depth of knowledge and skill I had developed nor had I realized that somewhere along the way, I’d developed the ability to take this one step further by passing this on to the next generation of social workers.
Most social workers who provide field supervision find this role a rewarding experience and a concrete way to give back to the profession. There will always be a need for knowledgeable, compassionate, and skilled social workers, especially as the level of need in our communities continues to grow and so there will always be a need for knowledgeable, compassionate, and skilled field supervisors willing to make the time commitment to train the future of our work force.
The Importance of Mentorship and Gatekeeping
The profession asks a lot of field supervisors and with good reason. While focusing on the development of future professionals, it’s important we’re mindful of the potential impact of their work on future clients. Field supervisors act as gatekeepers for the profession by having high expectations for students and ensuring they are able to provide quality and ethical care prior to graduation. With Casebook, field supervisors can easily document the dates of supervision and content of the meeting, should that information ever be needed beyond the student’s placement.
Becoming a field supervisor is a key professional milestone—one that not only strengthens the next generation of social workers but also enriches your own career. If you’re considering this step, embrace the opportunity to lead, mentor, and give back to the profession.It may feel daunting at first but overtime, and with more experience, it becomes a rewarding experience where there is much to be gained from giving back.
