How often do we need to meet?

Monthly is the SWRB minimum in New Zealand. In Australia it depends on your AASW category. Some people want fortnightly during a hard stretch.

Will my employer pay for this?

Often, yes. Many organisations hold a budget for external supervision.

Is supervision confidential?

Largely, and the limits are set out in writing before we start. The exceptions are risk of harm, unsafe or unethical practice, and anything legally required to be reported.

Are you taking new supervisees?

Usually, though numbers are kept small. Get in touch to find out where things stand.

Online · Aotearoa and Australia

Professional supervision for social workers and frontline staff

I am Warren, a registered social worker, counsellor and external supervisor. I have been on both sides of the supervision hour, and these days I sit on this one. I work with people across frontline social services in Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia: registered social workers, support workers, case workers, students and team leaders. Monthly, online.

Book a 15 minute intro chat

Or email warrenbain@gmail.com. No obligation either way.

Warren Bain, registered social worker and supervisor — Warren Bain
Registered Social Worker
SWRB · AASW

Who I work with

Who I provide supervision for

Registered social workers

External supervision that meets SWRB requirements in Aotearoa and counts toward AASW CPD in Australia.

Support workers and case workers

Registration and formal qualifications are not required. A good portion of the people I supervise are not registered social workers.

Students

Placement and field education supervision, including people studying while working.

Team leaders and managers

Supervision for people who manage or supervise others.

What it looks like

How supervision with me works

A 15 minute intro chat

Book it on the booking system. No charge. We work out whether I am the right fit for what you are after.

We agree a contract

What you want from supervision, how often we meet, confidentiality and its limits, and how we review it.

We meet monthly

One hour, online, same time each month where possible. Casework, ethics, practice decisions, and your own wellbeing in the work.

We review it

Every six months we check whether supervision is doing what you wanted it to do.

Book a 15 minute intro chat

A bit about me

My social work and supervision background

I qualified in Scotland in 2012 and have practised across Aberdeen, Sydney and New Zealand. Child protection, youth and family services, mental health and housing, in both frontline and team leader roles. I was a child protection team leader in Aotearoa and in New South Wales. I have supervised externally since 2018.

I am also a counsellor. I have worked as an EAP counsellor for over six years, contracting to national EAP providers, and I have been in private practice as a counsellor since 2023. I am ACT trained through Psychwire, and hold training in Motivational Interviewing, Strength Based Practice and Psychological First Aid. That counselling background shapes how I supervise: the work goes beyond casework review into how practitioners are actually doing.

I live in Taranaki. Outside work I surf, freedive and practise film photography.

Background

BA (Hons) Social Work, Robert Gordon University
Registered in New Zealand (SWRB, current APC)
Registered in Australia (AASW)
Dip. Social Services Supervision, Wintec
Supervising externally since 2018
6+ years EAP counselling
Counsellor in private practice since 2023
ACT trained (Psychwire)
LinkedIn profile

Registration requirements

Supervision requirements: SWRB and AASW

Aotearoa New Zealand

The Social Workers Registration Board requires all registered social workers to take part in professional supervision at least monthly. When you renew your practising certificate you declare that you will do so.

The Board prefers supervision provided by registered social workers who hold a current practising certificate and have supervision training.

Australia

AASW members complete 30 hours of CPD a year, and supervision sits in Category 1. Accredited Social Workers need 10 hours of Category 1 supervision annually. Accredited Mental Health Social Workers need 10 hours of clinical supervision, at least 5 of them one to one.

I hold current SWRB registration and a current practising certificate in New Zealand, and I am registered with the AASW in Australia. I hold a Diploma in Social Services Supervision.

If you are not registered, none of this applies to you. Supervision works the same way.

Sources: SWRB Professional Supervision policy · AASW CPD requirements. Worth checking your own category.

Fees

$140 + GST

NZD · per one hour session · online

Invoiced monthly. Many employers fund external supervision, and I can invoice your organisation directly. Australian supervisees are invoiced in New Zealand dollars. GST applies to New Zealand invoices. If you are a student or paying your own way and the rate is a barrier, say so and we will work something out.

Questions people ask

Common questions about professional supervision

Do I need to be a registered social worker?: No. I supervise support workers, case workers and others working in frontline social services. Registration and formal qualifications are not a requirement.
How often do we need to meet?: Monthly is the SWRB minimum in New Zealand. In Australia it depends on your AASW category. Some people want fortnightly during a hard stretch. We put whatever we agree in the contract.
Will my employer pay for this?: Often, yes. Many organisations hold a budget for external supervision. Worth asking your manager.
Is supervision confidential?: Largely, and we set out the limits in writing before we start. The exceptions are risk of harm, unsafe or unethical practice, and anything I am legally required to report.
Are you taking new supervisees?: Usually, though I keep numbers small enough to give each person proper attention. Get in touch and I will tell you honestly where things stand.