Supervision – guidance for practitioners

Supervision (sometimes referred to a clinical supervision) should be offered to all staff whose work brings them into contact with children, young people and their families.

Whilst the main focus may be on the safeguarding team members, other staff will need support either on an ongoing or specific basis.

Staff should be made aware that supervision is available if they want it and to contact their Designated Safeguarding Lead to discuss further.

As part of the learning from a Serious Case Review the MSCB Supervision Guidance (issued 2013) was developed in relation to carrying out safeguarding supervision sessions with staff.

This guidance should be read alongside the relevant sections of the GMSP procedures.

The four main functions of supervision are:

• Management:
  • quality of performance
  • discussion of relevant policies & procedures
  • safeguarding roles and responsibilities
  • development and monitoring of workload
• Learning and Development:
  • identifying learning style and barriers, development needs and learning opportunities
  • giving and receiving constructive feedback
  • reflective practice through case discussion
• Personal Support:
  • clarifying boundaries
  • allowing staff to express their feelings about the impact of their safeguarding work
  • monitoring their health
  • obtaining appropriate health support when appropriate
• Mediation:
  • ensuring that staff, the setting, the agency and other organisations are working together
    effectively
  • dealing sensitively with concerns
  • consulting and briefing staff on changes and developments that affect their area of work
  • advocating between worker or team and other parts of the agency or with outside agencies.

Inter agency working
An awareness and appreciation of the role of others is essential for effective collaboration between organisations and their practitioners.

More information can be found in the greatermanchesterscb.proceduresonline.com

Working Together 2018
Details of organisational responsibilities, as set out in Working Together, can be viewed at www.gov.uk/working-together-to-safeguard-children–2

Downloads on this page:

MSCB Supervision Guidance (issued Nov 2013)