Supervision
Supervision for youth workers.
External supervision that keeps youth workers ethical, steady and growing in demanding work. Individual, group and online, across Australia.
- We follow industry supervision standards
- Every supervisor has 10+ years frontline experience
- Online sessions for remote and regional workers
Good supervision does three jobs at once
Based on Alfred Kadushin’s model. Line management usually covers the first. External supervision covers all three. Read our full guide to supervision in youth work.
Administrative
Workload, accountability and the professional standards you work to. We think of this as “You as a Practitioner”.
Educational
Building skills and connecting theory and values to what you do every day. We think of this as “You as a Professional”.
Supportive
Processing the emotional load of the work, so you stay well and stay in the sector. We think of this as “You as a Person”.
Choose how you are supervised
Individual
One-on-one with an experienced supervisor, matched to your practice area. Minimum one hour, monthly or fortnightly.
From $195 + GST per session
Group
Shared reflection for teams or peer groups. Builds a common practice language across your service.
Priced on group size and frequency
Online
The same supervision by video, for interstate, remote and regional workers. Works well if you’re on the road or a long way from an experienced supervisor.
From $195 + GST per session
Supervision at every stage of your career
Youth work practitioners
Space to unpack complex work, make confident ethical decisions and avoid burnout, with a supervisor who walks alongside you as a critical friend.
Managers and team leaders
A team-strengthening strategy: better morale and retention, less burnout and vicarious trauma, and a reflective team culture.
Students and new graduates
Support to connect theory and practice, build confidence and a professional identity, and handle the move from study to work.
Supervision that changes how people practise
“Supervision with you helped me to stay sane in the middle of crisis. Thank you.”
Kyra Saladino
Youth Worker, Local Government
“I’ve had the guidance and support of the team there over that ten year period. The support I have received is second to none.”
Jessy Hall
CEO, Rite2Rise
“My whole well-being team has supervision with Ultimate Youth Worker… an organisation that is specially for adolescents/youth, knows all the policies and understands school processes.”
Rachael Menz
Education Vic Wellbeing Leader
Getting started is simple
Apply
Tell us about your role and what you want from supervision.
Get matched
We pair you with a supervisor who understands your context.
First session
We agree your goals, how often you’ll meet and how we’ll work together.
Keep going
At least monthly, fortnightly in high-crisis roles. Each session runs for at least an hour.
Organisations we work with
Practitioners who have done the work
Every Ultimate Youth Worker supervisor:
- holds a degree in youth work, and many hold Masters or PhDs
- has at least 10 years’ frontline youth work experience
- is trained in supervision practice and group facilitation
- has regular supervision and professional development themselves
Frequently asked questions about youth work supervision
How often should youth workers have supervision?
We follow the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) supervision standards. At a minimum, youth workers should have supervision once a month. In high-crisis roles, such as residential care or crisis accommodation, we recommend every two weeks. Each session should run for at least an hour.
How is supervision different from line management?
Alfred Kadushin’s widely used model describes three functions of supervision: administrative, educational and supportive. Line management usually covers the administrative part: workload, policy and accountability. It rarely leaves room for the educational and supportive work of reflecting on practice, building skills and processing the emotional load of the job. External supervision is designed to cover all three.
Do I need external supervision if I already get supervision at work?
Consider external supervision if your current supervision doesn’t cover all three areas, if you feel you can’t be fully honest with someone who also manages you, or if you simply need more than you’re getting. An external supervisor sits outside your organisation’s reporting line, which makes it easier to talk openly about mistakes, conflict and the toll of the work.
How much does supervision cost?
Individual supervision starts from $195 + GST per session. Group supervision and organisational packages are priced on group size, frequency and location. Book a call and we’ll put together a quote that fits your team.
Get supervised by the best in the sector
Individual supervision from $195 + GST per session. Group and organisational packages quoted to fit your team.