Justice, Care, and Collaboration: An Innovative Framework for Social Work Supervision in Interdisciplinary Legal Practice.

Abstract

This article presents an interdisciplinary sociolegal model designed to address barriers to equitable justice access in vulnerable contexts. Developed at the legal clinic of the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, the model enhances interdisciplinary supervision and practical training for law and social work students through a structured, user-centered approach. The pilot implementation successfully fostered essential competencies, including ethical decision making, problem solving, and conflict resolution, effectively preparing students for high-stakes sociolegal environments. Structured joint supervision clarified professional roles and promoted collaborative decision making, significantly reducing professional burnout and enhancing resilience. Pilot evaluations indicated high levels of user satisfaction and improved student competencies, reflecting substantial benefits in perceived service quality. Informed by comparative international experiences, this innovative framework aligns with global standards and demonstrates adaptability across diverse sociolegal contexts, underscoring its potential for broad application.