Trauma-Informed Supervision in Child Welfare

Trauma-informed and trauma-responsive supervisory practices supplement and support the tasks, duties, and responsibilities of tribal child welfare supervisors and staff alike. The best pathway to providing trauma-informed and trauma-responsive supervision is for supervisors to get to know the people they supervise. The impacts of trauma exposure are as individualized as trauma experiences themselves, which also means trauma-informed supervisory skills and practices need to be flexible and responsive to support staff. When a supervisor knows their team well, they are more prepared to lead and guide the team collectively, and as individuals, through the impacts of trauma exposure.