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Section 5 of 6
Pathway 1: Expanding capacity

Why expanding capacity is important as a practice supervisor

Expanding capacity is essential for practice supervisors because it allows them to create an environment where their team can manage increasing demands without sacrificing quality.

By focusing on continuous improvement and removing obstacles, practice supervisors create a stronger team dynamic, improve service delivery, and encourage a positive organisational culture.

This approach also builds resilience and long-term sustainability, ensuring the team can effectively respond to complex challenges and evolving needs.

See examples of the benefits of expanding capacity as a leader.

Improved team wellbeing

When supervisors focus on resilience and wellbeing, they create an environment where staff feel supported in handling the emotional demands of social work. This reduces burnout and increases staff retention. 

Greater resource efficiency

Expanding capacity in resource management allows supervisors to prioritise tasks effectively and allocate resources where they are needed most, ensuring the team can focus on meaningful work with children and families.

Enhanced organisational culture

By encouraging a learning culture and valuing diversity, supervisors can improve their team’s professional growth and confidence in making ongoing improvements in their practice. 

Strengthened leadership in change

Supervisors who can lead through change and manage complex situations build trust with their teams and ensure smoother transitions during critical periods.

Overburdening staff, misallocating resources, and neglecting learning can: 

  • lower team performance 
  • waste resources 
  • be a barrier to growth 
  • directly affect the quality of work with children and families

Over to you

Spend 10 minutes reflecting on one of the following questions: 

  • How do I support my team in managing their resilience and wellbeing? Are there additional strategies I could include to encourage a stronger culture of support? 
  • How effectively do I prioritise tasks and allocate resources based on the greatest benefit to children and families? Are there areas where I could improve my resource management? 
  • In what ways do I promote a learning culture within my team? How can I further encourage innovation and continuous improvement in our practice? 

You can use the ‘Why expanding capacity is important as a practice supervisor’ section in your 4C leadership capability framework action plan for this activity. 

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The resources have been developed by Frontline in collaboration with DfE.
Published: 30 January 2025
Last updated: 30 January 2025