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Submission information
Submission Number: 61
Submission ID: 821
Submission UUID: 5f601734-0f10-4643-b507-9b28b31debe7
Submission URI: /2025/abstracts
Created: Wed, 04/23/2025 - 21:23
Completed: Wed, 04/23/2025 - 21:32
Changed: Fri, 05/09/2025 - 11:31
Remote IP address: 41.13.228.140
Submitted by: XabaF@unizulu.ac.za
Language: English
Is draft: No
Current page: Complete
Webform: Abstract
Presenters
Prof.
Sithole
Mbongeni
University of the western cape
Mbongeni Sithole is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Community and Health Sciences at the University of the Western Cape. He is a seasoned social work educator with over fifteen years of academic experience. His work is rooted in advancing Afrocentric and decolonial knowledge systems, with research interests spanning social work supervision, inclusive education, trauma debriefing, corrections, and transformative learning. He has published extensively, contributing to both academic books and peer-reviewed journals. His journal articles span themes such as multidisciplinary collaboration, workplace supervision, and African knowledge production in social work practice. He also engages critically with policy and legislative frameworks relevant to Higher Education, Labour Relations, and the Criminal Justice System.
Yes
Dr.
Xaba
Fikile
University Of Zululand
Dr Fikile Xaba is a Lecturer & Researcher employed by the University of Zululand, Social Work Department. She is a qualified and experienced Social Worker registered with the South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP). Her professional practice spans various sectors of the public service, including corrections and rehabilitation, social development, and employee wellness. She has also worked as a private practitioner, with a specialization in psychosocial counselling and employee wellness services. She holds four post-matric qualifications: a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work, an Honours degree in Public Administration (BPA), a Master’s in Public Administration (MPA), and a Doctorate (PhD) in Development Studies. In addition, she has completed a range of short-term courses as part of her continuous professional development. Her academic contributions include several peer-reviewed publications in international journals, and she has successfully supervised and graduated Master’s and PhD students. She is a self-motivated, results-driven scholar who values both collaborative engagement and independent inquiry. Committed to lifelong learning, she brings a wealth of practical experience and academic insight to her teaching, research, and community engagement. Her research interests are interdisciplinary and include green social work and climate change, employee wellness, women’s empowerment, wellbeing, and sustainable development.
No
Abstract
Digital Social Work Supervision: Being Present in a Digital Space
THEME 6: Main-streaming Digital and Assessment Tools in Social Work Practice
SUB 6.1 Integrating digital tools into traditional social work settings.
Oral Presentation
Access to quality supervision continues to be a critical concern within the social service professions. Findings from a doctoral study examining the transition experiences of first-time supervisors underscore the need for reflective, capacity-building interventions to meet ongoing supervision demands. Persistent shortages of qualified supervisors, the growing prominence of interdisciplinary approaches, and the need to extend services to remote and underserved communities have collectively accelerated the adoption of digital solutions. These trends have been further intensified by the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which exposed both the constraints and transformative possibilities of remote professional practice. While digital technologies are increasingly embedded in the delivery of social work services, their integration into supervisory practices has not kept pace. Nevertheless, digital supervision presents significant potential as a driver of professional development, reflective engagement, and organisational effectiveness. This paper explores the diverse opportunities offered by digital supervision, including expanded access to supervisory support, greater scheduling flexibility, and improved mechanisms for documentation, feedback, and accountability. At the same time, the shift to digital spaces brings with it a host of ethical complexities. Key concerns include safeguarding confidentiality and data security, maintaining appropriate professional boundaries in virtual environments, and addressing the pervasive issue of digital inequality. Drawing from the aforementioned doctoral research, contemporary literature, real-world case studies, and existing policy frameworks, this paper underscores the urgent need for comprehensive digital supervision guidelines, enhanced digital literacy among practitioners, and an unwavering commitment to the foundational values of social work. Ultimately, it advocates for a balanced and intentional integration of technology into supervisory practices—one that embraces innovation while preserving the ethical integrity and relational depth that define effective social work supervision.
Reviewer ONE Feedback
Prof
John
Rautenbach
Yes
Education
Accepted
Reviewer TWO Feedback
Dr
Nthabiseng
Latakgomo
Yes
Education
Accepted