Supporting Those Who Support: The Importance of Supervision for Student Support Staff

Early in my career, I didn’t get this right. Not because I didn’t believe in it, but because, like so many in education, I struggled to find the time and resources to make it happen. The fast pace of a school or university environment, the relentless demands, and the sheer weight of safeguarding responsibilities made structured supervision feel like a luxury rather than a necessity.

But I’ve since learned that supervision for student support staff isn’t optional—it’s essential.

Why Supervision Matters in Student Support

Schools are more than places of learning; they are safety nets, support systems, and, for many students, the only place they feel truly seen. The staff who hold this responsibility—safeguarding leads, pastoral teams, and learning mentors—carry complex, often distressing cases every day. Without a structured space to reflect, evaluate, and process, they risk burnout, decision fatigue, and emotional exhaustion.

Supervision provides that space. It allows staff to:

✅ Discuss difficult cases in a supportive, confidential setting.

✅ Evaluate interventions—what’s working, what’s not, and what needs to change.

✅ Ensure fair distribution of cases across the team, avoiding overload.

✅ Improve record-keeping and compliance with safeguarding best practices.

✅ Seek emotional support—because those who care for others also need care

Supervision vs. Line Management

Supervision isn’t the same as a 1-2-1 with a line manager. It’s not about performance reviews or task updates—it’s a safe, structured space to process difficult cases, evaluate interventions, and ensure staff feel supported in their safeguarding role.themselves.

The Challenge of Making It Happen

The reality? Finding time for supervision in a busy school schedule is tough. Schools operate under intense time pressure, and safeguarding work doesn’t come with convenient breaks. When I first tried to implement supervision, it felt like another demand on an already overstretched system. But over time, I realised that not prioritising supervision led to staff feeling isolated, emotionally drained, and more likely to make rushed decisions.

Building a Culture of Support

So, how do we make supervision work in real schools, with real time constraints? A few strategies:

🔹 Embed it in the calendar—if it’s not scheduled, it won’t happen.

🔹 Use a mix of individual and group supervision to manage time effectively.

🔹 Make it structured but flexible—a clear framework, but space for real discussion.

🔹 Ensure senior leadership buy-in—so supervision is valued, not seen as an ‘extra’.

The Impact? A Safer, Stronger School

Supervision isn’t just about supporting staff; it’s about ensuring the best outcomes for students. When staff feel heard, guided, and emotionally supported, they make better safeguarding decisions and provide higher-quality support to the students who need them most.

Student support staff give everything to help young people thrive. It’s time we made sure they get the support they deserve, too.

What’s Next?

This is Part 1 of why supervision is essential! Part 2 will focus on how supervision should be used to inform trends in student wellbeing, guide executive responses to emerging issues, ensure parity of caseload across teams, create high-quality data, and ensure the ‘right fit’ of student support resourcing in an institution.