At Innovating Minds, we have created the Supervision Hub. This enables schools and organisations to access quality supervision that is delivered by highly trained and experienced professionals (Clinical Psychologists, Counselling Psychologists, Forensic Psychologists). The cost of caring is real and individuals that are working on the front line need a safe place to reflect and process the information they have been exposed to. If the front-line staff are not mentally healthy, they do not have the capacity to support the most vulnerable.
We are pleased that Department for Education (Staff Wellbeing Charter) and Safelives recommend access to supervision.
Clinical Supervision is safe space that is created by a supervisor and a supervisee. The space is created for the supervisee to reflect upon their work and process the distressing information they have been exposed to. Supervision also supports the supervisee with professional development. Clinical supervision is not space for the supervisee to receive therapy.
Clinicians (i.e. psychologists, counsellors) receive regular supervision, and they have to engage in clinical supervision to maintain registration. However, access to clinical supervision is not mandatory for individuals that are working on the front line and are not clinically trained. Front line workers may have access to line management supervision only.
Line management supervision is generally a place where you review caseloads, discuss any concerns and plan. There isn’t the opportunity for reflection to take place or the space to process the traumatic information you have been exposed to due to the nature of your work. It also may not feel like a safe space for you to reflect and openly discuss the impact the work is having on your mental health because of they are your line manager. Having a clinical supervisor that is external from the organisation can help with creating that safe and independent space for the supervisee.
FAQ:
Frequency of clinical supervision
I recommend that clinical supervision takes places every 4 to 6 weeks.
Group or 1:1 Supervision
Individual supervision gives the supervisee their own protected time with the supervisor. Group supervision is powerful for the peer support. Some organisations are choosing to offer 1:1 sessions and access to quarterly group supervision.
Using reflective practice in supervision sessions
This is not therapy. Reflective practice allows you to reflect upon your work, your responses, and the systems around. It can take time for you to develop your ability to reflect, because we are not used to thinking in this way. It may feel exposing but remember supervision is an opportunity for growth and learning. The supervisor is not there to catch you out or assess you.
If you are interested in accessing clinical supervision for your team, please get in touch by completing the form below.