‘If we weren’t reflecting, we would be like robots’
The case for thinking aloud in social work supervision
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21724742 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Matthew Rankine (0000-0002-3701-4807, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand, corresponding author), Andrew Thompson (0000-0003-3250-1603, University of Auckland), Andrew P Thompson (Social Workers Registration Board, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand) |
| Year | 2023 |
| Volume | 22 |
| Issue | 5 |
| Pages | 899-917 |
| Publication date | 2023-09-01 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Qualitative Social Work (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1473-3250 • E-ISSN: 1741-3117 |
| Publisher | SAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1177/14733250221113020 |
| OpenAlex | W4283834499 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 2 |
| References cited | 20 |
Thinking aloud is presented as a qualitative research and practice tool that enhances critical reflection and learning when it is applied in supervisor–supervisee dyads. Aotearoa New Zealand’s statutory child protection organisation, Oranga Tamariki (OT), has been openly criticised in reports damning ineffective social work practice regarding child and family assessments, cultural competency and critical practice. But what is really going on inside OT? Working alongside OT social workers, the authors explored ways to build critical reflection, resilience and well-being amongst supervisors and supervisees. Critical reflection was used as the methodological lens in this supervision study. The authors examine data collected from six supervisor–supervisee dyads participating in a thinking aloud process. Supervision recordings were analysed for reflective capacity, skills and current supervision practices in OT. Thinking aloud promoted a co-constructed space for supervisors and supervisees to critically reflect on their relationship together and their practice discussions in supervision. Using thematic analysis, four themes were generated from the thinking aloud discussions: the supervision agenda; supervisor skills; supervisory relationship and thinking aloud in supervision. These themes highlighted the significance of thinking aloud in providing deeper analysis and feedback on the quality of supervision and the skills used in the session. Reflective supervision is fundamental towards critical reflection and ethical social work practice. Within child protection services, it is crucial that social workers maintain a practice focus in robust decision-making effecting children and qualitative research supports this practice. Thinking aloud provides the basis for supervisors and supervisees to develop their skills together and ensure critical and accountable practice
Appreciative Inquiry · Critical thinking · Focus group · Pedagogy · Qualitative research · Reflective Practice · Sociology · Thematic analysis · Think aloud protocol · Child Abuse and Trauma · Computer Science · Psychology · Research in Social Sciences · Social Work Education and Practice · Social Work
Thematic Analysis
Thematic Analysis
What is Supervision? The Views of Child and Family Social Workers and Supervisors in England
Supervision Under the Microscope
Supervision in child protection
Comparing results from different styles of cognitive interviewing
What happens in child and family social work supervision
Researching Critical Reflection
A Realist Theory of Science
Research Synthesis
| Citations per year | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2024 - 2026 (3) |
| Highly cited | No |