Abstract
Supervision as a site of developing self-efficacy in newly qualified social workers (NQSWs) employed in the field of health in Aotearoa New Zealand is a topic with little research in the existing literature. While some literature internationally and locally attends to self-efficacy for NQSWs, the value of supervision and the importance of a supported transition to practice, there is limited research that attends specifically to the relationship between supervision and self-efficacy for this population. Few studies have focused on these concepts for NQSWs in the health field of practice. Seven online semi-structured interviews were conducted via online platforms with NQSWs working in the public health sector in Aotearoa New Zealand. NQSWs were defined as those in their first 18 months post-qualification if working a full-time week, or those working part-time up to 24 months post-qualification. A thematic analysis was conducted, drawing out the following core themes of supervision being a site of developing self-efficacy, the significance of transition to practice, what makes for effective supervision and the isolation experienced by NQSWs entering the health field of practice. This thesis argues that supervision is a site of developing self-efficacy for NQSWs. While this was not always attended to explicitly in supervision conversations, it was implied through discussion about wider practice contexts and issues. Development of self-efficacy in supervision is not limited to one-to-one internally provided supervision, occurring across multiple modes of supervision in this research. This thesis supports the importance of access to supportive, reflective supervision for NQSWs as they journey through transition to practice. It is recommended that organisations that hire NQSWs consider how to protect and support access to reflective supervision, enabling NQSWs to engage with this early in their transition to practice journey.