Working to ensure children are protected from harm is demanding work that entails making sound professional judgements and all of those involved should have access to advice and support, from peers, managers, safeguarding leads and designated professionals. Managers providing supervision should be trained in supervision skills and should be qualified/experienced and have an up to date knowledge of legislation, policy and research relevant to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
For many practitioners involved in day to day work with children and families, regular and effective supervision is important in promoting good standards of practice and supporting individual staff members. Supervision should help to ensure that practice is soundly based and consistent with the Local Safeguarding Children Board and organisational procedures. It should ensure that practitioners fully understand their roles, responsibilities and the scope of their professional discretion and authority. It should also help identify the training and development needs of practitioners, so that each has the skills to provide an effective service.
Supervision practice should include scrutinising and evaluating the work carried out by the practitioner, assessing their strengths and weaknesses and should provide coaching, development and personal support. Supervisors should be available to practitioners as an important source of advice and expertise and may be required to endorse judgements at certain key points in safeguarding processes. Supervisors should always record key decisions and advice given within the relevant case record.
Supervisors should regularly audit case files to review whether the work undertaken is appropriate to the child’s current needs and circumstances, and complies with the agency’s responsibilities and standards.
All agencies should ensure that staff who are working in the area of safeguarding have managed caseloads in order to promote safe practice. They should also ensure that the supervisors’ span of control enables them to maintain oversight of practice and known high risk cases.
In some circumstances practitioners may need additional support. This may involve facilitating referral to staff welfare services or the provision of advice and support from experienced staff within the organisation.
