Abstract
M.A.
A research study is undertaken with the aim of establishing what the attitudes and
perceptions of supervisors and supervisees are regarding the rendering of cultural-sensitive supervision in social work. The aim of the study is to provide supervisors in social work with recommendations regarding the rendering of cultural-sensitive supervision. The amalgamation of organisations rendering social services has brought about multi-cultural and cross-cultural supervisional relationships that could be potentially problematic.
The research process followed is the process identified by Mindel and McDonald in Grinnell (1993). The research process is initiated with a literature study on the concepts of
supervision and cultural diversity. The research is limited to the Gauteng area and the study did not take place on a large scale due to the qualitative design utilised. An in-depth study is mader rather than a statistical analysis.
Data collection takes place by means of semi-structured interviews with social work
supervisors and self-administered questionnaires, completed by both supervisors and
supervisees. The target group of the study is supervisors and supervisees employed by
organisations which already render cross-cultural services.
Results of the study indicate that supervisors and supervises generally don't experience
problems in the rendering and receiving of cultural-sensitive supervision. Cultural sensitivity is perceived as being the acceptance of cultural factors such as background and values, as well as having a working knowledge of the cultural background, values attitudes etc. of the supervisees. Communication barriers seem to be the problem experienced by the majority of the participants of the study.
It is recommended that supervisors receive further training in cultural-sensitive supervision
and that cultural-sensitive supervision needs to focus on cultural values rather than biographical aspects such as race. Anthropology included in social work training, could
address the need to enhance the knowledge base of social workers and supervisors, to the benefit of supervisor-supervisees relationships and thus the client system.
Results and conclusions drawn from this study can not be generalised to the broader
population of social workers and supervisors. Further research is needed to determine
whether the perceptions and attitudes established in this study are the general perceptions
and attitudes of social workers in South Africa.