10 Questions to Help You Prepare for Your Wā Manaaki Supervision Session
At Kāinga Ora, each day brings opportunities to make a real difference through meaningful but demanding mahi. In the midst of this important work, taking time for Wā Manaaki supervision might feel like a luxury you can't afford. Yet the busier you are, the more valuable this time becomes.
Taking this time to step back and reflect often helps you work more efficiently. Those who invest in quality supervision typically find they make clearer decisions, handle complex cases more effectively, and feel more confident in their work. Think of it as sharpening your tools - a small investment of time that makes everything else work better.
Here are 10 focused questions to help you get the most from your supervision. Invest just 10 minutes in reflection before your session, and watch how it transforms your practice:
Core Reflection Questions
1. Impact and Growth: What experience since my last supervision has taught me the most, whether through success or challenge?
2. Emotional Weight: Which situation am I carrying with me emotionally, and what support do I need around this?
3. Professional Development: What skills am I noticing I need to strengthen to better do my work?
4. Cultural Understanding: How are cultural aspects influencing my current work with whānau, and what learning would help?
Practice Development
5. Patterns and Themes: What patterns am I noticing in my work that I'd like to understand better?
6. Boundaries and Balance: Where am I feeling the need to adjust my professional boundaries or work-life balance?
7. Complex Decisions: What difficult decisions am I facing that would benefit from exploration?
Looking Forward
8. Resource Needs: What additional support or resources would help me be more effective in my role?
9. Implementation: How am I putting previous supervision insights into practice, and what's helping or hindering this?
10. Next Steps: What specific outcome do I want from this supervision session?
Making It Work
Your supervisor is there to support your growth and development, but they can only work with what you bring to the session. Use these questions to:
Identify your priority discussion points
Be clear about what support you need
Come prepared with specific examples
Focus on both challenges and successes
Remember: The quality of your supervision often reflects the quality of your preparation. These questions aren't just about identifying problems - they're about deepening your practice, enhancing your resilience, and ultimately improving outcomes for the whānau you serve.
