Digitalization of Supervision in Social Work during the Pandemic

Jana Vrtová, Ladislav Vaska

Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The paper aims 1) to conceptualize the issue of using information and communication technologies (ICT) in supervision, 2) to define the impact of the pandemic on the conducting and experience of supervision in a select group of supervisors and 3) to analyze the pros and cons of cyber supervision. THEORETICAL BASE: The authors understand supervision as an interaction process based on the communication between the supervisor and the supervisee. They focus on the specifics of virtual supervision and the related subjective experience thereof. METHODS: The qualitative research utilized a semi-structured interview with a select group of supervisors. OUTCOMES: Based on the analysis of research data, the changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic in supervision in social work were defined in 2 concepts: a) change in the implementation methods of supervision in the context of digitalization, and b) change in the experience of supervision by supervisors; the analysis also revealed the pros and cons of supervision in the online environment. SOCIAL WORK IMPLICATIONS: The paper responds to the current topic of “digitalization of supervision during the pandemic” and provides important knowledge and requirements related to supervision. It also outlines the issues and challenges related to the use of ICT in supervision with regard to the pros and cons of cyber-supervision from the perspective of supervisors in the Slovak context.

Keywords
supervision, social work, digitalization, pandemic, synchronous supervision, cyber-supervision

p. 60-77