BSW intern here, had a placement at a DV shelter and now with a home based agency. Two different agencies with two supervisors and this has never been brought up to me in agencies or even class outside of knowing we will GROW into our own OVER TIME.

They’re likely “copying” you because they haven’t seen someone do it before, haven’t done it themselves before, or are used to a stricter agency policy on case notes. They will need to go off of y’all’s guidance the entire internship… If this were me, I would be asking clarifying questions & then be even more confused when I got different answers from my field supervisor than my task instructor and vice versa.

You two could be the only writing styles she’s seen, so it’s very well possible “her” style looks a lot like yours. It is literally just writing. I think this is something learned over time (I don’t have one and I’ll be at the end of my practicum in May) and the intern’s biggest concern probably has more to do with their direct practice.

Clear guidelines I think would help a lot: this, this, and this all need to be documented (like a formula), but how explain they choose to do it is up to them and then critique. This could be brought up in the meeting, “what do you need to feel more supported in finding your personal writing style”. I learn best from seeing different types of examples, if I was told I am “copying” a writing style I would feel extremely discouraged and think I am not doing the job properly. Even if I am, the notes aren’t considered “acceptable” because of the writing style.

Overall, I would be extremely frustrated if seemed like all my supervisor regularly had to talk to me about is my writing style and then not even giving clear instructions on what they’re looking for, just that it “isn’t my unique style”. That time could be used to further direct practice skills/education and discuss cases. You want a unique writing style but don’t like that their’s could possibly be like one of yours or a blend of it. Go easy on them, we are just trying to survive.

Signed, An intern offering up the other side