PhD project summary:
Social work in Jordan, evolving over a century, faces challenges intensified by regional crises, economic fragility and diverse community needs, raising concerns over whether social work practitioners are well equipped enough to respond to the complex situations families and communities face. One significant gap identified through recent research, linked to the limited professional recognition of social work in Jordan, is a lack of timely and effective supervision for all social workers; an important space for oversight, accountability, guidance, support and reflection. Without effective supervision social workers may cause harm, rather than empower and support, yet current models used have been predominantly developed in higher-income and ‘western’ nations that do not align well with the social, economic, political and cultural context of Jordan.
This PhD research will draw on decolonising social work theory to understand the current nature of social work supervision in Jordan amongst child protection social workers and to develop a socially and culturally relevant model of supervision, with an overall aim of supporting the professionalisation of social work in Jordan through locally developed and locally owned models of practice. This will be the first study on social worker supervision in Jordan. Findings will support recommendations for improved supervision practices, leading to more effective interventions and strengthening of locally developed social work practice.
The research will be done in partnership with the Jordanian Association of Social Workers (JASW) and will be overseen by a Research Advisory Group (RAG) including social workers, social work educators, JASW, a representative from the Ministry for Social Development and UNICEF. The PhD student will therefore work closely with the social work community across Jordan, and aligned health and social professionals with whom they work closely, to ground the research in local realities of social work practice and answer the main research question; ‘What elements are essential for effective, empowering and culturally relevant supervision for child protection social workers in Jordan amidst political, economic and social instability?’
The research will use a mixed-methods approach that combines breadth, depth and nuance through; a comprehensive national online survey to all social workers in Jordan; up to four focus groups with child protection social work practitioners; up to 15 interviews with leaders in the field of social work; and analysis of social work supervision sessions of up to 15 child protection social workers. A focus on child protection social work has been chosen due to the challenging and complex nature of this work. Data analysis will involve individual analysis of each dataset as well as triangulation to support the development of a socially and culturally relevant model of social work supervision in Jordan, guided by decolonising social work theory explicitly recognising current political, economic and social instability in the region.
Anticipated outcomes include improved understanding and recommendations for enhancing social work supervision in Jordan, contributing to the professionalisation of Social Work agenda in Jordan and beyond.
Supervisor(s):
Aisha Hutchinson: aisha.hutchinson@kcl.ac.uk
Jenny Driscoll: jenny.driscoll@kcl.ac.uk
CASE non-academic partner: Jordanian Association of Social Work (JASW): https://jasw-jo.org/
LISS Institution: King’s College London, Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy, Education, Communication and Society
PhD Programme: Interdisciplinary Policy Studies MPhil/PhD
Full-time / Part-time: Either
1+3.5 or +3.5 studentship: +3.5
Fee Eligibility: Fee Eligibility: Home & International eligible (UKRI eligibility guidance)
How to apply:
To apply, please complete and return the documents below to the project supervisor(s) directly:
- LISS DTP CASE application form
- Academic transcripts
- References
- Additional information as stipulated in the CASE project listing
Additionally, all applicants must complete:
- LISS DTP Diversity Monitoring Form (online)
Closing date for applications: 23rd February 2026
Interviews date: Week commencing 9th March 2026