Line Management Supervision in the Helping Professions: Moving from External Supervision to a Line Manager Supervisor Model

Abstract

Clinical supervision is a fundamental component in key fields of practice; counseling, social work, and health, for example. However, there are increasing numbers of organizations whose focus is to engage and support clients to manage their lives effectively, but which are not required by mandate to provide supervision for their staff. This article shares the experiences of five supervisors working in just such a “helping” organization, which has moved from an external supervisor to a line manager supervisor model.

The participants share their stories about clinical supervision from a line manager perspective and reflect on the part supervision could play in supporting staff who work in the helping professions.

KEYWORDS:

• line management
• supervision challenges
• perspectives