Engaging for supervision outcomes: perspectives from Ontario human service supervisors

Effective supervision is recognized as essential for achieving client, worker, and organizational outcomes. Clarity about how supervisors engage in supervision toward these outcomes, however, is needed to inform practice. Using reflexive thematic analysis of interview data from 18 supervisors in human service organizations in Ontario, Canada, this study explored their understanding of supervision impact and their intentional use of supervision strategies. Identified themes included promoting staff well-being and thriving, fostering work engagement, enhancing practice competence, cultivating work performance, and building confidence and trust. These findings, including specific strategies, offer further insight to support practice, training, and policy for effective supervision.