Abstract:
The overall aim of the study was to evaluate how Social Work Supervision affects job
performance in the Department of Social Development, Polokwane Sub-District. The
objectives of the study were to explore how supervision is rendered in the
Department of Social Development in the Polokwane sub-district; to investigate the
impact of supervision on Social Workers’ job performance and to make
recommendations from the findings to the Department of Social Development in the
Polokwane sub-district regarding how supervision can be improved to enhance
service delivery.
The study was qualitative research and researcher used descriptive research design.
The data was collected through semi-structured face-to-face interview from six (6)
cluster supervisors and twelve (12) Social Workers who are employed by the
Department of Social Development, Polokwane Sub-District. The sample consisted
of cluster supervisors who had more than three months experience of providing
supervision in the Department of Social Development, Polokwane Sub-District and
no acting cluster supervisor was selected to participate in the study. The Social
Workers had more than three months of working experience at Department of Social
Development, Polokwane Sub-District. These Social Workers were not on internship
programme. The researcher used thematic data analysis.
The findings of this study confirmed that supervision which is rendered in the
Department of Social Development, Polokwane Sub-District is conducted by
supervisors who did not receive training during their academic years and after being
qualified Social Workers; supervisors conduct this critical role because of their years
of experience as Social Workers. Secondly Supervision sessions which are
conducted by effective supervisors who have good supervisory skills have a positive
impact on the job performance of Social Workers, as compare to ineffective
supervisors without good supervisory skills and thirdly none adherence to structured
supervision under poor working conditions without resources with high caseloads
and unfair remuneration leads to burnout, and consequently contributing towards
Social Workers having the intention to leave the Department of Social Development.
Key words: Cluster supervisors, Social Workers, Job performance and supervision
