Aims:To systematically search the literature to identify studies related to clinical supervision in child and family health nurse contexts, and to determine the role it has in professional practice and the characteristics required for effective supervision.Design: A mixed-method systematic review using a convergent integrative approach to data synthesis. Data source: Studies only in English language were identified from searches of CINAHL, MEDLINE and EMBASE databases covering the years of publication from January 1990 to December 2020. Review methods: Primary research studies of clinical supervision with child and family health nurses in community settings were included. Studies were critically appraised for methodological quality and data extracted, coded and analysed for themes in keeping with the review aims and key findings of each study. Results: Of 2185 records screened, 63 full-text papers were assessed for eligibility, which yielded 12 publications for inclusion-11 from the United Kingdom and one from Sweden. The majority (75%) of included studies were qualitative or mixed method. Four main themes with sub-themes were identified: structural features, supportive experience, ensuring safety and strengthening practice. Conclusion: Clinical supervision across child and family health nurse contexts is limited. This study highlighted organizational commitment to clinical supervision as an important component of safe and quality practice. Supervisor training and supervisee orientation to supervision is required to optimize effective participation, together with shared agreement of the goals and purpose of supervision. Impact: The findings from this review confirm the potential for clinical supervision to support improved outcomes for children and families. Understanding what models work best and in what contexts will inform workplace policy and educational programs for child and family nurses across diverse settings.

AimsTo explore clinical supervision practice by Victorian Maternal and Child Health nurses, identify the self‐reported supervision needs of nurses and the facilitators and barriers to meeting those needs.BackgroundCommunity‐based Maternal and Child Health nurses have responsibilities for the safety and wellbeing of children and specific clinical support needs. Clinical supervision has the potential to support nurses' clinical practice and reflective skills; however, little is known internationally about child and family health nurses' supervision practices.DesignQualitative descriptive study.MethodsTwenty‐three semi‐structured interviews were conducted between October and December 2021 with nurses, managers and supervisors across metropolitan, regional/rural areas of Victoria, Australia. Inductive thematic analysis was applied to the data. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research guided this study.ResultsThree main themes, with subthemes were generated; ‘Understand what we do’, ‘It's the gathering of the nurses’ and ‘Bringing a case’. A lack of agreed purpose, aims and varied understandings of clinical supervision contributed to suboptimal clinical supervision. Although participants agreed about the importance of clinical supervision, the perceived benefits were inconsistently realized.ConclusionsThis study points to a need for greater organizational awareness of the conditions and leadership needed to build reflective skills and culture in community‐based child and family nursing.Reporting MethodThe Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research has guided this study.No Patient or Public ContributionThere was no patient or public contribution in the conduct of this study.Impact A stronger focus is needed to build reflective culture and skill in child and family nursing. Areas for improving child and family nurses' use of clinical supervision have been identified. This study can inform nurse education, policy and service leaders, to strengthen clinical supervision in child and family nursing contexts.