Rankudu, Ikgopoleng Gladys2013-10-102013-10-102013-10-10http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/13235MM (P&DM) thesisSupervision in the social work profession is a priority in maintaining consistent and high quality service delivery. There is a need for effective supervision within the social work profession in order to improve quality social work services offered to service users. It is therefore important to get a sense of how social workers and social work supervisors experience, understand and perceive supervision in DSD, West Rand Region. In light of the above, the study thus intends to explore the perceptions of existing supervision arrangements in the DSD, West Rand Region, in order to assess if it needs adjustments/improvements or totally develop new informed interventions strategies for the benefit of the social work practitioners, DSD and service users. This exploratory study will help us to understand the nature of supervision, what effect does manager supervision of professional social work practitioners have on social services provision, and to make recommendations regarding the situation in order to improve the service rendering. The study takes a qualitative approach. A questionnaire consisting of qualitative questions was designed. Although there are some positives, the main findings of the study reveal that there is no supervision in the Department of Social Development (DSD) instead professional approach is being replaced by personal relationships. The relationships are maintained by reciprocity and consensus; and social work supervisors go through some difficult experiences when they move from the position of social worker to that of a supervisor. This requires support from their superiors which, according to the study, is currently lacking. This calls for DSD to urgently put professional systems in place.enSocial workSupervision of staffThesis