Child-aware supervision

Supervisors in adult-focussed health and social services (eg. mental health, drug and alcohol, domestic violence, housing etc).

As you progress through this course, you will be working towards:

• understanding the impact of supervision on child outcomes
• assessing and building worker readiness to apply child aware practices
• exploring how worker practice styles can impact on child outcomes
• using supervision to support workers to reflect on how their values and attitudes impact on child aware practice.

Upon completion of this course, it is expected that you will be able to:

• describe how supervision influences child outcomes
• reflect on how supervision can influence child outcomes
• apply supervision strategies that can promote child aware approaches within your service.

This course features videos of fictional parents and family scenarios. As you work through the course, it is important to be aware of your own emotional responses. Please follow the self-care tips below and seek help if needed: 

• We do not recommend undertaking the entire course in one sitting. Give yourself some breaks. Even if you don’t feel that you need a break, it’s a good idea to take one anyway and come back later. 
• Be aware of your emotions as you progress through the course, and take action if you are starting to feel stressed or upset. For example, consider taking a break and doing something for yourself that you enjoy. 
• Be aware of your emotional responses after you complete the course. 

If at any point you find you are struggling, please talk with your supervisor, seek help, or call Lifeline on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, or SANE Australia on 1800 18 7263.

The term 'child' is commonly used throughout this course, however it is acknowledged that parents may have more than one child, in which case the reference refers to all of their children.

In undertaking this module, it is assumed that you have some understanding of child and family-sensitive practice.

Child-aware supervision has been developed by the Emerging Minds in partnership with the Australian Centre for Child Protection and the National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA).