Why supervision for DSL's isn’t a ‘nice to have’
- Vicki Shevlin
- 16 hours ago
- 3 min read
If you’re a Designated Safeguarding Lead, I don’t need to tell you how heavy the role can feel.
You’re holding strategy meetings, difficult conversations with families, staff worries, complex referrals, and the quiet 3am thoughts of: “Have I done enough? What if I’ve missed something?”
What I see, over and over again, is that DSLs are now carrying work that looks very similar to social work from five or ten years ago – but without the same level of foundational training, and without the supervision that would be non-negotiable in social work.
That gap isn’t just unfair.It’s unsafe.
In my latest podcast episode, I talk about why supervision for DSLs is not a “nice to have” or a “lovely add-on”. It’s something essential that your employer needs to ensure you have in place – to protect you, the children you work with, and your organisation.
Three things every DSL needs to know about supervision
In the episode, I share three key points that I think every DSL should know about supervision. Here’s a quick overview.
1. Supervision is not therapy
If you’re coming out of supervision feeling like you’ve just had a counselling session, it might be a sign something isn’t quite right.
Good supervision will absolutely make space for your emotions. It should feel containing and safe. You might even walk away feeling lighter, calmer, or more grounded.
But supervision is not the place for your supervisor to start unpacking your relationship history, exploring childhood patterns, or acting as your therapist. That blurs boundaries and isn’t ethical.
What you should experience in supervision is emotional containment – someone who can hold your feelings without being frightened by them, help you notice how they’re showing up in your work, and support you to take care of yourself.
If you need therapy or counselling (and lots of us do at different points in our lives), that should be a separate, protected space – not merged into supervision.
2. Supervision is not someone just telling you what to do
When you’re overwhelmed, it’s completely understandable to want someone to say, “Here’s the answer, do this, this and this.”
But if supervision simply becomes you offloading and someone telling you what to do next, you’re not getting what you deserve from that time.
Good supervision is reflective.It’s curious.It helps you think, rather than thinking for you.
There might be some case management elements; practical advice, reminders about process, support in preparing for a strategy meeting, but the heart of supervision is about building your practice skills and confidence, not creating dependence.
The aim is that you leave with more clarity, more understanding of your own patterns and strengths, and a stronger sense of what good practice looks like; not just a to-do list.
3. Supervision will not always feel comfortable – and that’s okay
Supervision should be kind, respectful and boundaried. It should never be shaming.
But it won’t always feel comfortable.
Part of my role, as an independent supervisor, is to be radically honest with you. That might mean gently pointing out where you’re going beyond your remit, taking on more than is safe, or edging towards burnout.
It might mean saying:“You are doing too much.”“You are carrying things that should sit with the wider system.”“You are not responsible for all of this on your own.”
That can be hard to hear, especially when you care deeply about the children and families you work with. But in the long run, it is the safest thing for you, for them, and for your organisation.
Why this matters now
As a social worker, senior practitioner and former Child Protection Conference Chair, I’ve seen first-hand the level of care, dedication and relentlessness that DSLs bring to their roles.
I’ve also seen the impact when they’re not supported: chronic stress, decision fatigue, blurred boundaries, and ultimately, increased risk.
Supervision isn’t about questioning your commitment. It’s about recognising that the work you’re doing would never be done without supervision in another safeguarding profession – and giving you the same level of support and structure.
Listen to the episode
If any of this is resonating, I’d really encourage you to listen to the full episode.
I talk more about:
emotional containment and why it can feel like “therapy but not therapy”
the difference between supervision, management and counselling
why your discomfort in supervision can sometimes be a sign of growth, not failure
and how to start the conversation if you currently don’t have supervision in place.
And if you’re listening and thinking, “I need this in place – for me or for my DSLs”,you can contact me HERE for an informal conversation about independent supervision and safeguarding support for schools.
Because you shouldn’t have to carry this alone.
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