Managing in the middle: a study of the experiences of social workers moving to senior social work positions in the Department of Social Welfare

Abstract

This thesis examines the transition experiences of social workers moving from direct practice positions to middle-management supervisory positions in the Department of Social Welfare in New Zealand. The study takes the form of a nationwide survey of all the field-work (320.104) senior social workers in the Department of Social Welfare who were promoted to their jobs from direct practice positions during 1985 and 1986. A postal questionnaire was administered to a sample of 56 senior social workers, which sought to obtain information on: what senior social workers see as being important in their jobs, the transition experience of moving from direct practice to senior social work, the factors accounting for problems of transition, the factors preparing senior social workers for their role, and what senior social workers see their training needs as being. The information obtained from the questionnaire was analysed using the S.A.S programme on an IBM computer at Victoria University. Due to the small sample only simple descriptive statistics were used, including some cross-tabulations of variables, which were tested for significance. Findings revealed that the transition from direct practice to senior social work positions can be difficult, and that the greatest degree of difficulty is experienced in assuming and exercising the authority of the senior social work position. Respondents experienced less difficulty in the actual skill aspects of their job than in negotiating the change of role from direct practice. Almost half of the respondents felt unprepared for the position of senior social worker, and all but 2 of the respondents indicated a need for training in their present jobs. These results are assessed in the light of existing information on role transition in social work, a structural analysis of social work management, and socialization processes. In conclusion, issues arising from the research which require further investigation, are identified.