Preparing and Supporting Workplace-Based Human Service Supervisors: Insights from a Canadian Survey.

This article focuses on the preparation, support, and well-being of supervisors in human service organizations (HSOs) in Ontario, Canada, based on a cross-sectional survey of 75 supervisors, predominantly social workers. Findings indicate that while most supervisors received some training and supervision, nearly two-thirds lacked formal onboarding and many felt unprepared for their complex roles. Although most supervisors reported moderate well-being and low burnout levels using the Professional Quality of Life Health measure (ProQOL-H), the study highlights ongoing needs for enhanced onboarding, continuous supervisory training, and robust supervisory support to improve supervision quality and frontline worker outcomes. The research underscores the importance of supervisors' own supervision and feedback mechanisms, as well as organizational attention to their professional development and emotional well-being.