Social work supervision has three main functions - administrative, educational, and supportive. The administrative function focuses on ensuring workers follow policies and procedures. The educational function addresses workers' ignorance around skills and knowledge needed to do their jobs effectively. The supportive function aims to improve worker morale and job satisfaction. The overall goal of supervision is to effectively provide clients with mandated social work services.

1. 1
Social Work Supervision Functions
Administrative Educational Supportive
Primary Problem Correct, effective
and appropriate
implementation of
governing policies,
procedures,
statutes and laws
Worker ignorance
and/or ineptitude
regarding the
knowledge,
attitude and skills
required to do the
job
Worker morale
and job satisfaction
Primary Goal Adherence and
lawful compliance
to policy and
procedure
Dispel ignorance
and upgrade skills
Improve and
sustain morale and
job satisfaction
Short Range
Objective
Provide work
environment that
permits worker to
do job effectively
Improve worker’s
capacity to do job
more effectively,
help worker grow
and develop
professionally, and
maximize clinical
knowledge & skills
to the point where
worker can
perform
independently of
supervision
Help worker feel
good about doing
job
Long Range
Objective
Effectively and efficiently provide clients with the particular
social work service the particular agency is mandated to offer
and paid to provide
Reference: Kadushin. A & Harkness, D. (2014; p. 9). Supervision in social work.
Social Work Career Development