Group 2: supervisors and managers

We recommend that managers and supervisors in social care in Wales are familiar with strengths-based approaches.

People who supervise in a strengths-based way promote positive outcomes for their colleagues and the people they support.

They should have done all the group 1 training.

This group includes anyone who manages or supervises someone else.

They could be:

• line managers
• team leaders
• service managers
• supervisors
• practice assessors
• mentors.

It’s helpful for everyone in this group to understand:

• the key principles of strengths-based practice and their role in supervision
• how the key principles of strengths-based practice promote positive cultures and staff well-being
• how – and if – their organisation’s policies and guidelines support strengths-based practice in supervision
• why it’s important to do regular training and practice.

They should also know about the models of strengths-based practice and the most recent research and evidence behind these.

People in this group should be able to:

• use research in everyday practice
• lead by example, and use strengths-based practice to manage and supervise staff
• record a supervision session in a strengths-based way
• build strong, trusting and respectful relationships with everyone they work with, including the people they supervise, by:
  • engaging patiently with the person on their level
  • focusing on what matters
  • being sensitive to their needs and lived experiences
  • thinking of the possibilities for that person (also called ‘evoking’)
  • planning with the person rather than for the person.
• have difficult conversations in a compassionate way – for example:
  • when advocating for an individual’s rights when other people don’t agree
  • during performance reviews.
• use strengths-based practice in supervision sessions to agree clear outcomes and find out what motivates them
• support colleagues to understand strengths and risks and develop safety plans
• monitor their team’s quality of work in line with strengths-based practice
• use strengths-based practice to manage services and work with partners and stakeholders, including inspectors
• listen to – and advocate for – other people who work in a strengths-based way.

You can support people in this group by:

• working towards a positive culture in your organisation
• working to the values of strengths-based practice.