BASW Cymru Practice Workshop: Supervision, Surveillance and Fear: Social Work Practice in a Risk Driven System

The home visit and supervision are fundamental practices of statutory social work. Supervisors are expected to fulfil a number of functions, and support workers to deliver relationship based, outcome focussed practice in line with the Social Services and Wellbeing Act. Despite the significance given to supervision and practice, the interaction and influence of one on the other is seldom discussed. Drawing on a research study involving interviews with social workers and supervisors, alongside direct observation of practice, this workshop will consider the relationship between the two cornerstones of social work. We will discuss the impact of widespread concerns of serious harm to children on organisations, supervisors and social workers, and consider how this can lead to surveillance and proceduralisation as a way of providing containment and managing the strong emotions enmeshed within social work practice. We will also consider how social workers recognise and manage the power of these systems, working creatively and delivering best practice. The session will help practitioners and supervisors understand how supervision shapes practice — and how practice, in turn, shapes supervision — offering practical ways to strengthen both. Session delivered by: Dr Lucy Treby Lucy is a Social Worker, educator and consultant with over twenty five years’ experience leading practice development, service innovation and organisational change across children’s social care in England and Wales. Lucy is a champion of relationship-based practice which she believes is one of the unique selling points and ‘superpower’ of social work as a profession. A Doctor of Social Work and specialist in social work methods, she is known for translating complex research into clear, practical approaches that strengthen supervision, improve safeguarding practice and build confident, reflective teams. Her work offers a powerful foundation to embed reflective supervision, strengthen practice frameworks and create cultures where relational, strengths based practice can thrive.