Delicate liaisons: The impact of gender differences on the supervisory relationship within social services

Abstract

This article is concerned with the impact of gender difference on social work managers and practitioners, specifically within the supervisory context. It is proposed that differences relating to gender influence the way in which work-roles are understood and carried out. Largely ignoring this aspect of the supervisory relationship can contribute to the frequent muddles and misunderstandings which occur, with more or less serious consequences. The paper looks at some of the key areas of difference that men and women bring to their work roles, the connections between the public life of the work context, the private life and psychological development of the individual, and the effect of these differences and connections on the supervisory relationship. Examples are drawn from practice and from a small scale qualitative research study based on interviews with practitioners, middle and senior managers within a Social Services Department