PROFESSIONAL SUPERVISION

What is Supervision?

Professional Supervision is a contractual relationship between a professional person and a qualified other person who provides reflection, debriefing, support, accountability and professional development for the professional person to help them manage the personal, vocational and organisational influences on their role and responsibilities.  Professional Supervision is a strongly recommended self-care practice for those in helping professions.  It is regular, proactive, and intentional; and requires a suitably qualified person to act as the Professional Supervisor.

Supervision is not an inherently hierarchical relationship. It is by definition a reflective, supporting relationship. One of the most helpful ways to view supervision is that of a pro-athlete and a personal trainer. The athlete is a professional in their field; gifted, skilled, and working to better themselves. The personal trainer may also be a skilled athlete, but their specialty is actually focused on increasing the development and effectiveness of others. The pro-athlete comes to the trainer to reflect on their abilities, skills, health, and for development. The athlete’s accomplishments are their own, and what they get from the trainer is commensurate with what they want out of the relationship.

What Will We Talk about?

Supervision is about you the person, you the professional. Through this lens we will discuss a number of different parts of you as a person, and you as a part of the caring profession. Below are just a few examples of topics covered in Supervision:

• Personal and Professional Effectiveness

• Theological Issues

• Ethical Issues

• Self-Care

• Scope of Practice

• Short and Long-term goals

• Compassion Fatigue and Burn Out

• Different models of care

• Clients