Clinical Supervision
We cannot learn if we do not reflect. Clinical supervision is a professional development activity which provides a space for a supervisee to reflect on their work. People who regularly attend clinical supervision develop professionally and personally and this is likely to lead to improved outcomes for people using services.
Working with people in healthcare will give rise to challenging and complex situations, some of which are likely to leave a lasting impact, other situations may feel less demanding but require energy at an emotional and cognitive level.
All too often we ‘just get on with it’ and do the job, repeatedly. Clinical supervision can assist in our professional practice being more intentional. Even as professionals, we live our lives according to the stories we tell ourselves and the stories we are told by others (people do not usually step outside these dominant stories (White 1990). Our experiences and knowledge are likely to be valuable resources, but if we don’t know how they influence our practice, there are likely to be times when these resources might in fact be a restraint.
Through my training as a systemic supervisor, I understand the importance of being supportive, non- assuming and at times challenging. The crux of my role is to help supervisees develop as individuals, this will at times mean not offering information, but exploring options. My approach is non-blaming which centres on the supervisee as expert in their own field of work. My aim is to create an empowering experience though always maintaining a stance of curiosity, respect, and transparency. I will ask questions which will navigate differing perspectives with the aim of discovering opportunities and constructive dialogue, imagination, and problem resolution. Clinical supervision is a confidential space and if safeguarding issues were to arise, I would always prefer to discuss concerns and a way forward with the supervisee before involving a third party.
Clinical supervision is a space to help professionals think about the impact of their work on their personal development and think about how their personal life impacts their professional development and behaviours. Clinical supervision can take may forms including face to face, or online, can be retrospective or live supervision or reviewing practice by way of video or audio. Supervision can be individual or in groups. As a registered Systemic Clinical Supervisor, I am bound by the AFT Code of Ethics and work within the considerations of the Social Work Ethics.