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Clinical and Professional Supervision
“Clinical supervision is a formal professional relationship between two or more people in designated roles, which facilitates reflective practice, explores ethical issues, and develops skills.”
(Australian Clinical Supervision Association, 2015)
Supervision is
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Led by each supervisee in collaboration with the supervisor by way of contracted frequency, purpose and focus of supervision, and own desired learning goals
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Conducted within a safe and collaborative professional relationship
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Encourages workers to reflect on their practice, and raises awareness, essential for reflexive practice
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Develops capability, knowledge, and skills ensuring professional growth and change
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Fosters high standards and culturally safe practices while highlighting how values and worldview relate to practice
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Provides courage to maintain consistency in practice promoting positive work-life balance and self-care
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Involves critical thinking, self-assessment, observation, feedback, evaluation, modelling, and problem solving
Clinical supervision is
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Centered within an evidence-based, formal range of principles, activities and areas of practice
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Essential to ensure safe, high-quality and effective professional services
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One of the most effective tools in the prevention of vicarious trauma
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Offered to supervisees principally within the following sectors:
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Alcohol and other drugs
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Community development and support
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Education
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Grief and bereavement
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Hospital and Healthcare
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Mental Health
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NDIS
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Social assistance
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How can workers benefit from external supervision?
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debrief following critical or traumatic incidents
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have a safe, confidential space away from work to debrief, reflect and learn
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seek constructive feedback to manage complex work issues
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discuss client problems and figure out potential solutions, especially for complicated cases
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plan and strategize for work or organization matters
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explore professional topics like career direction, expanding skills, further education opportunities, and current training options
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focus on personal, mental and emotional well-being
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create, maintain or address professional boundaries
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manage stress, well-being and self-care
Where and how can supervision be delivered?
Supervision can be delivered via a variety of methods depending on the workplace environment (e.g., rural and remote settings) and availability of supervisors. Methods include:
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face–to-face
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telephone
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videoconferencing / online
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individual format
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peer/group format
What is better for me, Individual or Group Supervision?
Group supervision
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Enhances clinician effectiveness: gain exposure to a variety of individual cases beyond your usual work, encouraging innovative thinking and alternative perspectives.
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Increases knowledge: Learn clinical skills from others in the group, providing opportunities to develop your clinical skills. Peer feedback fosters critical thinking and evaluation of your engagement, limitations and strengths. Diverse skill sets, experiences and knowledge among group members introduce new methodologies, approaches and interventions which will enrich your practice.
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Fosters community: Receive support from fellow clinicians, build connection, mitigate feelings of isolation and foster a sense of community and collective purpose.
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Encourages critical thinking: Benefit from multiple viewpoints, hearing unique personal and professional insights. This encourages open-mindedness and a thorough evaluation of your client work, leading to professional growth.
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Promotes networking: Widen your professional network, consult on more cases, receive client referrals through relationships and connections created in group supervision. Sharing perspectives and specialist expertise strengthens professional relationships, creating valuable resources.
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Enhances presentation and speaking skills: Practice presenting cases, speaking in public and engaging in professional interactions. Those more confident can mentor those with less experience, benefiting the wider professional sector.
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Promotes clinical development: Group supervision complements individual supervision and is integral to professional growth. Closed groups enhance trust and offer a collaborative, supportive environment for professional guidance in your clinical work.