The Impact of Social Work Supervision on Practice Quality in Borno State Welfare Services

Supervision is a foundational mechanism for ensuring quality, ethical practice, and staff wellbeing in social work, yet its implementation in Nigerian welfare institutions is inconsistent and frequently inadequate. This study examines the impact of social work supervision on practice quality within welfare services in Borno State, North East Nigeria, focusing on agencies operating in Maiduguri and Biu. A mixed-method design is employed, with 65 social workers and their supervisors surveyed through structured questionnaires and in-depth interviews. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis are applied in interpretation. The study finds that social workers who receive regular and structured supervision report higher practice confidence, greater ethical clarity, and lower burnout compared to those receiving irregular or absent supervision. The majority of supervising managers lack formal training in supervision models appropriate for social work, leading to supervision sessions that focus primarily on administrative compliance rather than professional development. The crisis context in Borno State, characterised by sustained humanitarian emergency, amplifies the importance of supervision as a mechanism for secondary trauma prevention. Recommendations include developing a formal supervision framework for all welfare agencies in the state, providing mandatory supervision training for social work managers, and prioritising trauma-informed supervision approaches in humanitarian settings. Keywords: social work supervision, practice quality, Borno State, professional development, humanitarian settings