Sustaining and building the workforce requires organisations to commit to a culture of continuous learning and improvement through the lens of intersectionality. This includes the concept of ‘just’ culture.
A ‘just’ culture ‘recognises that individuals should not be held accountable for system failings. It is a culture of trust, learning and accountability’, where ‘staff are not punished for actions taken by them that are proportionate to their experience, training and role, but where there is accountability for reckless behaviour and an absence of care.’[1] A ‘just’ culture means that wellbeing of staff is prioritised.
A supportive learning culture at an organisation level is essential to ensure that supervision offers a space for safe, reflective practice.[2]
Supervision can also promote ‘just’ culture, through providing a space for open reflection, learning and acknowledgement of the systemic issues which impact on practice and on practitioners.
‘Supervision helps clarify the sticking points and centres me in relation to the political and ethical nature of our work.’
– Victorian-based supervisor, 2022
References
[1] Department of Health and Human Services, Community services quality governance framework, Department of Families, Fairness and Housing website, 2018, accessed 23 June 2023.
[2] Egan et al., ‘Trust, power and safety in the social work supervisory relationship: results from Australian research’.
Updated