Starting supervision clearly

What Is a Supervision Agreement?

A supervision agreement establishes how the supervision relationship will work and helps make expectations explicit before regular sessions begin.

Last reviewed: 13 October 2026

Professional supervision agreement being discussed before supervision begins
A

Direct answer

In brief

A supervision agreement is an agreed framework for the supervision relationship. It can define the purpose of supervision, roles and responsibilities, session frequency, confidentiality, record keeping, review processes and how concerns will be managed.

01

What should a supervision agreement include?

Useful areas to clarify include the purpose and goals of supervision, roles, responsibilities, frequency, session duration, confidentiality, records, communication between sessions and how the arrangement will be reviewed.

02

Why agree expectations before regular sessions?

Clear contracting reduces uncertainty and gives both parties a shared understanding of what the supervision relationship is intended to provide.

03

Can a supervision agreement change?

Yes. Supervision needs can change as roles, responsibilities and professional circumstances develop, so the agreement can be reviewed and updated where necessary.

S

Sources and further reading

New Zealand supervision guidance

Oranga Tamariki: Professional Supervision →

Oranga Tamariki: Supervision Agreement Resources →

Tania To'oa Sita, Social Worker and Supervision Expert at UPUTĀUA

About the author

Tania To'oa Sita

Social Worker / Supervision Expert, UPUTĀUA

Tania writes from a supervision approach grounded in reflection, professional responsibility, cultural context and the realities practitioners face in their work.

View Tania on LinkedIn →

Related resources

Continue learning about supervision

01

Confidentiality in Professional Supervision

Learn how confidentiality can operate in professional supervision and why boundaries, record keeping and disclosure expectations should be agreed clearly.

Read the guide →
02

Professional Supervision Requirements for Social Workers in New Zealand

Understand the SWRB requirements for professional supervision in New Zealand, including monthly supervision, contracts, records, external supervision and professional responsibilities.

Read the guide →
03

How to Prepare for Professional Supervision

Learn how to prepare for a professional supervision session by identifying key situations, questions, patterns and goals for reflection.

Read the guide →

Related UPUTĀUA service

Professional Supervision

Learn about Professional Supervision →
Book a supervision session