A Qualitative Evaluation of Community Nurses' Experiences of Child Safeguarding Supervision

Abstract

Key Practitioner Messages Safeguarding supervision was viewed as a child‐focused, helpful activity that has led to practice improvements. Negative comments were in the minority and related to perceptions of its intrusive and punitive nature, the time involved and competing priorities. Improvements advocated were that safeguarding supervision should include discussion about children whose care is problematic but who are not subject to formal child protection proceedings.

Clinical supervision practice by community‐based child and family health nurses: A mixed‐method systematic review

“…Respondents stated that dedicated time to reflect increased their capacity to think about situations and resulted in an increased capacity to respond rather than react in a ‘chaotic, problem centred’ way (Draper et al, 1999; Rooke, 2015; Wallbank & Woods, 2012). Clinical supervision contributed to the development of a more flexible approach to thinking about clinical situations and addressed habitual practice styles (Little et al, 2018; Wallbank, 2013). It was also reported to increase confidence (Honey and Walton (2008) and aid skill development and knowledge integration following formal training or workshops (Kornaros et al, 2018).…”

“…Clinical supervision was important for risk‐related concerns (Rooke, 2015) particularly where the lines of accountability and responsibility lay solely with a nurse. This was linked with boundaries and role clarity when dilemmas arose about who was responsible for families of concern, particularly in instances when families did not meet the criteria for additional services (Draper et al, 1999; Lister & Crisp, 2005; Little et al, 2018; Moseley, 2020).…”

“…Sharing examples of good practice and learning from peers and experienced others were reported as benefits of group clinical supervision and featured as positive outcomes (Little et al, 2018; Moseley, 2020; Scott, 1999). While health visitors expressed different views about the degree to which ‘clinical supervision helped deal with difficult situations’, the ‘universality’ of practice challenges and dilemmas was source of both learning and reflection (Draper et al, 1999).…”

“…Clinical supervision contributed to the development of a more flexible approach to thinking about clinical situations and addressed habitual practice styles (Little et al, 2018;Wallbank, 2013). It was also reported to increase confidence (Honey and Walton (2008) and aid skill development and knowledge integration following formal training or workshops (Kornaros et al, 2018).…”

Promoting Best Practice in Assessment and Intervention: The Challenges of Working in Times of Cutbacks and Change

“…The short report in this issue by Moira Little and colleagues () describes a small qualitative evaluation of community nurses' experiences of child safeguarding supervision. The majority of the 25 participants were either health visitors or school nurses and data were gathered using a survey and interviews.…”