Not so strange! An application of attachment theory and feminist psychology to social work supervision

Frontline statutory social work is tough and stressful. The dangerous dynamics that can develop in client-worker, collegial and interagency relationships in child protection practice have been well documented (Reder, Duncan, & Gray, 1993; Hughes & Pengelly, 1997; Morrison, 1997) and regular supervision has been identified as one key to ensuring professional accountability, practice competence and practice safety (Morrison, 2001). But should female gender be an issue in the supervisor / supervisee relationship? This paper will examine the emotional minefield that can be supervision and argues that attachment theory and insights from feminist psychologists will better enable existing supervisory practices to respond more effectively and creatively to the needs of women supervisees in child protection social work practice.