Writing Supervision Notes Effectively: Social Work Guide UK

The Purpose of Supervision Records

Supervision is a cornerstone of social work practice, providing accountability, support, and professional development. Good supervision records serve multiple purposes:

Document decisions made about cases
Track professional development and learning
Provide evidence of management oversight
Support reflective practice
Create accountability for both supervisee and supervisor
Inform future supervision and case direction

Four Functions of Supervision

Good supervision records should reflect the four key functions:

Management: Workload, case decisions, performance
Support: Wellbeing, stress, emotional impact of work
Development: Learning, training, career progression
Mediation: Relationship with organisation, policies, resources

Supervision Record Template

SUPERVISION RECORD Date: [DD/MM/YYYY] Time: [Start - End] Supervisee: [Name, Role] Supervisor: [Name, Role] Type: [Scheduled / Ad-hoc / Group] REVIEW OF PREVIOUS ACTIONS [Status of actions from last supervision] CASES DISCUSSED Case: [Name/Reference] - Key updates since last supervision - Current concerns/risks - Strengths/progress - Decisions made - Actions agreed (who/when) WORKLOAD AND CAPACITY - Current caseload: [number] - Capacity concerns discussed - Prioritisation agreed WELLBEING AND SUPPORT - Impact of work discussed - Support needs identified - Actions to address PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT - Learning needs identified - Training/CPD discussed - Progress on development goals OTHER MATTERS [Any other issues discussed] ACTIONS FROM THIS SESSION 1. [Action] - [Who] - [By when] 2. [Action] - [Who] - [By when] NEXT SUPERVISION: [Date/Time] Signatures: Supervisee: _________________ Date: _______ Supervisor: _________________ Date: _______

Recording Case Discussions

When recording case discussions in supervision, include:

Current situation: Brief update on where the case stands
Analysis discussed: What was the focus of discussion?
Risk assessment: Current risk level and any changes
Management direction: Clear decisions made by supervisor
Rationale: Why particular decisions were made
Actions: Specific next steps with timescales

Important: Supervision records are disclosable in court. Ensure case discussions are recorded accurately and that management decisions are clearly documented with rationale.

Example: Case Discussion Record

Case: Thompson Family (Ref: CS2024/1234) Update: Third CIN visit completed 10/01. Mother engaging well with parenting programme (attended 4/6 sessions). Children's school attendance improved to 92%. Father has returned to family home despite agreement to live separately. Discussion: Explored implications of father's return given DV history. SW concerned about mother's capacity to prioritise children's safety. Discussed whether to escalate to CP. Risk analysis: Father's return increases risk - previous incidents occurred when he was living in home. Mother's statement that "things are different now" echoes previous minimisation. However, positive engagement with services is protective factor. Decision: Not escalating to CP at this stage. Increase visiting frequency to weekly. Undertake direct work with children to ascertain their views about father's return. Review in 2 weeks - if concerns increase, escalate to strategy discussion. Rationale: Current level of concern can be managed within CIN framework with increased oversight. Children's views not yet obtained - essential before any escalation decision. Actions: 1. SW to visit weekly for next 4 weeks - starting 17/01 2. SW to complete direct work with children re: father - by 24/01 3. SW to speak with school re: any changes in children's presentation - by 20/01 4. Review case in supervision 31/01 - decision on escalation at that point

Recording Reflective Discussion

Supervision should include space for reflection. Record:

What emotions or reactions the work is generating
How personal experiences might be affecting practice
What the supervisee is learning from cases
Areas of practice the supervisee wants to develop
Support agreed to address emotional impact

Common Recording Mistakes

Too brief: "Case discussed, plan agreed" tells us nothing useful
No decisions: Recording discussion without clear outcomes
Missing rationale: Decisions without explanation of reasoning
No actions: Discussion without specific next steps
Delayed recording: Notes written days after supervision
Not signed: Both parties should sign to confirm accuracy

Tips for Supervisees

Come prepared with cases you want to discuss
Bring specific questions or dilemmas
Be honest about challenges and concerns
Review the record and raise any inaccuracies
Follow up on actions before next supervision
Keep your own copy of supervision records

Tips for Supervisors

Ensure all four functions are covered over time
Be clear about decisions and document rationale
Create space for reflection, not just case management
Complete records promptly and share with supervisee
Follow up on previous actions
Model good recording practice

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Conclusion

Good supervision records are essential for accountability, professional development, and safe practice. By documenting case discussions thoroughly, including clear decisions with rationale, and covering all four functions of supervision, you create a valuable record that supports both the supervisee and the organisation.

Remember that supervision records may be scrutinised in serious case reviews or court proceedings. Record as if someone will need to understand exactly what was discussed, decided, and why.