Clinical Supervision – Why is it important?
TOPIC:
Supervision – why is it important as allied health professionals? Today we will be focusing specifically on occupational therapists.
What:
There is a lot of evidence of reflect practice and supervision being beneficial to both the practitioner and the client. We want to talk about why we love about supervision!!
Why:
Supervision is so important for reflective practice, developing skills, getting guidance and feedback; so as developing as professionals so we can better work with our clients. Supervision can be individual, peer, or group based and can follow any sort of timeframe. Different professional bodies have different requirements for professionals depending on where they are in their career. We always suggest monthly; as that seems to be enough time to consolidate the previous session. Most new graduates will have weekly or fortnightly supervision, while more experienced therapists might only have monthly supervision. Everyone needs supervision – whether you are a Clinical Director or a new grad on day one – supervision is essential.
How to Optimize Your Supervision Experience:
Find a supervisior that is ideally in your area of practice; for example if you are mental health OT – find a supervisor who has a background in mental health.
Most organizations, government departments, non-government organizations and private practices recognize the need for supervision and often will provide this as part of your contract or employment. If this is not provided; we would suggest asking for it at your next review – that may be that they pay for someone to supervise you externally or organise this internally.
From our own experience – we believe that some supervision should be external to your place of work; someone who is just for you and your career. In house supervision is essential for developing programs, developing internal procedures for the organisation, understanding the client group and learning from other professionals you are working with. It is also essential to have someone external from the organisation, who can be a neutral party between yourself and your workplace.
If you are working in any organisation and are only getting in house supervision, that person often has a vested interest in either keeping you employed or not…. What if you career goals and plan do not line up with that of the organisation? What if you need to plan the next phase of your career as you are moving overseas? While many supervisors – regardless of if they are in house or external are objective and can provide support and supervision should be confidential. It can something be uncomfortable to have this supervision – especially if your supervisior is the leader of the clinic or organisation and may have influence over HR matters (been there!).
Obviously paying for someone external when you can ‘do it in house’ may not be a popular opinion. However I have found from personal experience that it is essential for my long term career development. I have often taken supervisors ‘with me’ when I have moved on roles, though this then becomes a personal cost, rather than one covered by the organisation.
Supervision…..
√ Should be regular – at an agreed time for both parties that should be protected – no shifting it for admin or emails or other matters (unless of course urgent)
√ Should be recorded – someone needs to take minutes and notes of what was said and discussed as well as actions and plan for the next supervision, which is also evidence for your CPD portfolios
√ Should be respectful – even if there are some tough conversations that needs to be had
√ Should feel supportive and have most questions answered
√ Should give you a plan for the next few weeks
√ Should recap and check in with the the topics you covered last week, as well as you bringing with an outline or questions of what you want to work on this week
√ Should have shared responsibility between yourself and your supervisor
Why Is Supervision Important?
1. Reflective Practice: Supervision encourages therapists to reflect on their practice, which is crucial for continuous learning and improvement. Reflective practice allows us as therapists to critically analyze our interventions and interactions with clients, leading to more effective and ethical practice.
2. Skill Development: Regular supervision provides an opportunity for us to develop and refine our skills. Supervisors can offer insights based on their extensive experience, helping supervisees to expand their clinical competencies and stay updated with best practices.
3. Professional Growth: Supervision supports the professional growth of therapists by setting goals, identifying areas for improvement, and planning career development strategies. This is particularly important for new graduate therapists who are still finding their footing in the profession.
4. Guidance and Feedback: Supervisors provide essential guidance and feedback, helping us to navigate complex clinical situations and make informed decisions. This feedback loop is vital for professional accountability and ensures that therapists deliver high-quality care to their clients.
5. Support and Well-being: Supervision offers a supportive environment where therapists can discuss challenges and stressors related to their work and beyond. This support is crucial for maintaining mental well-being and preventing burnout, especially in high-demand clinical settings.
Who do I use as a supervisior?
I have an in-house one at my current role, who is great, and I learn a lot from them.
My long term external supervision is Margaret from OT360. She has supported me through 4 house moves (including 1x international move), the birth of our children, 2 maternity leaves, 6 job roles, and the under-arching development of our business. 10/10 would highly recommend her for anyone needing a supervisor, particularly those in the UK!
Practical Tips for Supervisors and Supervisees
Prepare Ahead
Both supervisors and supervisees should come prepared with topics, questions, and reflections for each session. This preparation ensures that the time is used effectively and that all relevant issues are addressed.
Set Clear Goals
Establish short-term and long-term goals for professional development. These goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).
Seek Feedback
Supervisees should actively seek feedback on their performance and be open to constructive criticism. This feedback is essential for growth and improvement.
Reflect and Record
Reflect on the discussions and feedback received during supervision and document these reflections in a supervision log or journal. This practice aids in tracking your development over time.
Conclusion
Supervision is an indispensable component of occupational therapy practice, fostering reflective practice, skill development, and professional growth. Whether you are a new graduate therapist or a seasoned professional, regular and structured supervision can significantly enhance your clinical practice and overall career trajectory. Advocating for both internal and external supervision can provide a balanced and comprehensive support system, ensuring that you continue to grow and thrive in your profession.
For more information and resources on occupational therapy supervision, visit [Occupational Therapy Australia](https://www.otaus.com.au) and the [Royal College of Occupational Therapists](https://www.rcot.co.uk).
In Australia, some states have specific guidelines for allied health professionals to adhere to also. These references have been noted from the Supervision Framework Document, by Occupational Therapy Australia, dated 2019.
- NSW: The Superguide – A Handbook for supervising Allied Health Professionals. Health Education and Training Institute, NSW Government (2014).
- Queensland: Department of Health: Guideline for Credentialing, Defining the Scope of Clinical Practice and Professional Support for Allied Health Professionals (2015).
- South Australia: Allied Health Clinical Support Framework (2014).
- Victoria: Clinical Supervision Guidelines – Enhanced Maternal and Child Health Program. State of Victoria, Department of Education and Training (2018).
- Western Australia: Foundations to Supervision, WA Country Health Service Combined Universities Centre for Rural Health (2009).
References
Occupational Therapy Australia. (2024). Capability Frameworks. Retrieved from https://www.otaus.com.au/practice-support/capability-frameworks
Occupational Therapy Australia. (2024). Supervision Frameworks. Retrieved from https://otaus.com.au/publicassets/2e35a9f6-b890-e911-a2c3-9b7af2531dd2/ProfessionalSupervisionFramework2019.pdf
Occupational Therapy Board of Australia, Code of Conduct, 2014 http://www.occupationaltherapyboard.gov.au/Codes-Guidelines/Code-of-conduct.aspx
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