Part 2 of 3: Examine the role of supervision in your practice
Part 2 of 3: Examine the role of supervision in your practice
We now move onto the topic of supervision. Supervision is an integral part of Human Services practice and is applicable to both students on placement experiences and to experienced practitioners. Constructed as a professional development activity, supervision involves critical reflection that allows current and future practitioners to adapt and to process contextual challenges and tensions that may occur within the workplace (Adamson, 2012; Watts 2018). It is not however about complying with rules and policies (though it can have a managerial and risk-mitigation aspect). Instead, it is aimed at increasing your learning, helping you apply professional skills, knowledge and principles and function effectively in a practical work environment (Bogo, 2015). Supervisors may therefore challenge assumptions, ask critical questions and encourage students (and practitioners) to reflect on their actions and review decisions in order to learn from them. Questions asked during supervision sessions may therefore not always have a right answer, but rather a choice of “best” answer (Beddoe & Davys, 2010, p. 19).
Supervision in a student placement context has a number of parallels with the kind of supervision you will engage in as an employee, but will often have a stronger ‘educational component’. The content and the reading (Activity 1.4) at the end of this learning topic will help you gain insight into the different functions of supervision as well as how to engage with the feedback that is given.
Before we do that however, it is important to be prepared for supervision. This can maximise your time with your supervisor. The research conducted to develop this resource highlighted five student-led actions that supervisors associate with effective supervision experiences. Click on the image hotspots below to explore these and think about how you can build these into your placement experience.
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
Activity 1.2.1– Engagement Session with Q&A
Now that you have had an opportunity to think about your actions within the supervision context, the next part of this resource enables you to learn about what to expect in, and how to prepare for supervision sessions. This is through an engagement session that has been put together by Human Services Professional Placement Course Examiners at University of Southern Queensland (Ms Krystal Schaffer and Mr David Steggall). Hear from them about topics such as What is Supervision?, How do you prepare for Supervision?, and How does Supervision differ between students and employees?
Consider these questions while you watch the video:
What is Supervision?
- What are the two approaches that your supervisor may focus on during the supervision sessions? Is there one you prefer? Why?
- Why does Ms Schaffer say that you as the Human Services worker, are the tool for service delivery?
- What does it mean when Mr Steggall talks about External Supervis