A strengths perspective on supervision of social workers : an alternative management paradigm within a social development context
Date
2010
Authors
Engelbrecht, Lambert K.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Whiting and Birch
Abstract
The growing discourse on neoliberal ideas and the resulting new public management
measures have an immense impact on the management and leadership models employed at social
welfare organisations all over the world; and call for a critical theory beyond a deficits approach as an
interpretative framework. In response, this article propounds a strengths perspective on supervision of
social workers, which is a key element in a social development approach to social practice, and which
also finds common ground with supervision in other contexts. The South African welfare context is
presented as a best practice vignette of a strengths perspective on supervision employed at a welfare
organisation. It is concluded that a strengths perspective has transformational potential; and as a
proactive response to neoliberal global and local market demands, compels managers to employ
strengths-based interpretative frameworks for assessments and personal development plans of those
they supervise in order to develop a facilitative alternative management paradigm.
Description
Please cite as follows:
Engelbrecht, L. K. 2010. A strengths perspective on supervision of social workers : an alternative management paradigm within a social development context. Social Work & Social Sciences Review, 14(1), 47-58, doi:10.1921/095352210X505490.
The original publication is available at http://essential.metapress.com/content/1247852187426210/
Engelbrecht, L. K. 2010. A strengths perspective on supervision of social workers : an alternative management paradigm within a social development context. Social Work & Social Sciences Review, 14(1), 47-58, doi:10.1921/095352210X505490.
The original publication is available at http://essential.metapress.com/content/1247852187426210/
Keywords
Social work administration -- South Africa, Social workers -- Supervision of -- South Africa, Social service -- South Africa
Citation
Engelbrecht, L. K. 2010. A strengths perspective on supervision of social workers : an alternative management paradigm within a social development context. Social Work & Social Sciences Review, 14(1), 47-58, doi:10.1921/095352210X505490.