Supervision Key To Improved Services

Improved supervision is the aim of a step-by-step workforce development tool that has been designed by Skills for Care and the Children’s Workforce Development Council.

They have teamed up to score a national first by producing a supervision unit, which plugs an identified gap in the Leadership and Management Strategy for social care. It has been developed in association with a wide range of employers, practioners and partners, including the Department of Health and the Department of Education and Skills (now Department for Children, Schools and Families) – and it has already been field tested with good results.

The guide will be of use to managers and supervisors across the workforce. As part of the initiative, a publication called “Providing Effective Supervision” is now available to social care employers across the country. It provides at an instant a wealth of advice and up-to-the-minute information embracing good practice, competence, professional development, accountability and much more.

In its foreword, Andrea Rowe, Chief Executive of Skills for Care, and Jane Haywood, Chief Executive of the Children’s Workforce Development Council, emphasize that high quality supervision “is one of the most important drivers in ensuring positive outcomes for people who use social care and children’s services. It also has a crucial role to play in the development, retention and motivation of the workforce.”

Both believe that the new product will play an important part “in the development of consistently high quality supervision practice, with consequent improvements in outcomes for those who use services.” Guidance and other resources have been produced to assist organizations, supervisors and those receiving supervision to make the most of the opportunities that are provided.

Jane Haywood, Chief Executive of CWDC adds: “CWDC is pleased to have worked closely with Skills for Care on this vital publication which we hope will provide support for those working in this often challenging field, and help improve the retention of those in social care. CWDC will be working closely with Skills for Care to promote the availability of this publication and we look forward to hearing feedback about how it is working in practice.”