Abstract
This article is based on a paper given by the author at an IASSWE regional seminar in Singapore, August, 1989. The historical development of the practice and supervision of social work in the United Kingdom and the United States of America are considered. Polar ideal-type ‘cultures of supervision’ are identified to examine the potential for ambiguity and ambivalence in contemporary social work supervision. The writer then analyses the notional ‘continuum’ of supervision arrangements in the light of two critical publications from the United Kingdom. Finally, some essential steps towards reducing the ‘tyranny’ of responsibilities for supervisors are presented.

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