What to ask a staffing agency before you sign up, if clinical supervision actually matters to you

Most agencies will tell you they offer "support." Here's what to actually ask to find out whether that's true before you commit.

"Who reviews my cases, and how often?"

A vague answer ("reach out any time") usually means there's no structured review process. A specific one — a named clinical lead, a set cadence — usually means there is.

"What happens if I'm unsure how to handle a case?"

Listen for whether the answer describes an actual escalation path to a clinical lead, or just "use your judgement." Both are honest answers — but they tell you very different things about what you're signing up for.

"Am I placed and briefed, or placed and left?"

Ask specifically whether you'll be briefed on a child's plan before you start, or expected to figure it out on day one. This is one of the clearest signals of whether an agency treats placements as administrative matching or clinical work.

"How is my pay and documentation handled?"

Reliable admin — contracts, invoicing, documentation — isn't glamorous, but its absence is one of the most common sources of frustration in freelance-style placement work.

Why this is worth asking upfront

The gap between "placed and supported" and "placed and left" is usually invisible until you're already in it. Asking these questions before you join is the only way to find out which one you're getting — see how we answer them ourselves on our for specialists page.