This guide is a companion to the book published in 2007 for those working with troubled families: How to help families in trouble

It has been written with both new and experienced managers in mind. We know that effective work with parents and families only flourishes when the workers undertaking that complex and often difficult work are looked after well, and that supervision is one of the best ways of achieving this. Safe and good supervision provides a time when workers can tell (and show) their supervisor or manager some of the problems and dilemmas that they are encountering, seek help in applying good practical research to an issue or think creatively about other ways to help parents and families change.

See also:How to help families in trouble
and these supporting documents
Supervisor Effectiveness Rating Scale (SERS)
Assessment and tools to use: family trees and ecomaps
Helping parents help their children to behave well: behaviours, star charts, rewards and discipline
The art of making good referrals
Family and Parenting work, Supervision Record
Developing a supervision agreement