Since the publication, in April 1993, of A vision for the future, clinical supervision has become a major topic of debate within the nursing, midwifery and health visiting professions. Here the Health visitors' association provides an overview of the present discussions, offering a range of definitions of the term, together with information on the general principles of supervision and the requirements for its effective implementation. The final section lists a range of questions useful for members to raise and discuss when the introduction of clinical supervision is being planned.