Clinical supervision in the provision of intensive home visiting by health visitors

The objective of this paper is to explore the perceptions of health visitors working in frontline child protection concerning the role of clinical supervision. Fifteen health visitors ('home visitors') providing an intensive home visiting service to high-risk families in the south east of England were interviewed about their experience of receiving supervision. The model of clinical supervision used was based on the Family Partnership Programme and delivered by two trained psychotherapists. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. Home visitors believed that clinical supervision enabled them to maintain boundaries, regulate and reflect on their practice, and develop a better understanding of the issues clients were facing. The model of supervision used and the organisational context were believed to be important factors in the delivery of clinical supervision and to have contributed to its success.