Evaluating SWOTT toolkits as a change mechanism: from managerial to critical reflective supervision

Critical reflection underpins effective and ethical social work practice. However, mechanisms for embedding critical reflection within practice are not consistent nor clearly established across all fields of social work. This study evaluated the Social Work Online Team Training (SWOTT) toolkit as a mechanism for change from a model and culture of managerial supervision to one rooted to critical reflection within adult social care services in a local government agency in England. A SWOTT toolkit is an integrated team-based resource for Continuous Professional Development (CPD) activity based on a peer learning pedagogy. For the study, a total of 18 study participants were recruited through adult social care services, to participate in focus group discussions, including workforce development leads (n = 3), team managers (n = 5) and social care practitioners (n = 10). Team managers described behavior change as using SWOTT toolkits enabled them to embed critical reflection within their individual and team practices and culture. Practitioners noted the benefits of supervision and learning as a team, both in terms of the learning itself, sharing existing practice knowledge and team-building; collective benefits that could be gleaned for teams in all fields of social work practice.