What is Protective Supervision? Simply put, Protective Supervision is an IHSS service for people who need to be observed 24 hours a day to protect them from injury. The person eligible for Protective Supervision must have a “mental illness” or “mental impairment” that impairs their judgement, memory and orientation. For example, a parent (Provider) has an autistic child that is constantly engaging in dangerous activities or unknowingly harms them self….