Group Supervision: Learning Resources
Group Supervision: Learning Resources
In Social Care, group supervision is often encouraged alongside individual supervision. Kath Leman (Evidence Champion and Occupational Therapist) and Karen Gray (Researcher in Residence) from North Somerset Council have developed a group supervision evidence briefing. This briefing considers what the benefits are and what skills and support might be useful to make group supervision work well in adult social care organisations.
The evidence
In this short video Kath and Karen share the evidence and implications for practice on group supervision in adult social care.
(Length: 5 minutes)
Key messages
Group supervision is useful to support:
- Developing critical thinking skills
- Increasing knowledge, skills and confidence
- Reducing stress and anxiety
Group supervision can be improved by:
- Supervisor facilitation training
- Having a shared understanding of the purpose and structure
- Organisational support from leaders and managers
Practice perspectives
Helen Stone, a senior social worker, and group supervision leader in an Adult Social Care Locality team in North Somerset, supported the development of this briefing by sharing her experience of setting up group supervision.
Karen attended one of Helen’s group sessions to discuss the evidence and the group shared their reflections. This was helpful for the development of the briefing as well as an opportunity for the group to consider how the evidence could support their sessions.
Helen reviewed the briefing and alongside Charlotte Bussey, a social worker in the team and one of Helen’s supervisees, they reflected on the evidence. Helen and Charlotte spoke to Kath to share their perspectives around how relevant the evidence is for their practice setting.
Helen discusses some of the challenges in setting up the group supervision sessions
Key discussion points:
- Managing workload and setting time aside for group supervision
- Finding the right space for face to face sessions
- The role of the facilitator
Reflective question:
- Is there time, space and value given to group supervision in your organisation?
Helen discusses some of the benefits of the group supervision sessions
Key discussion points:
- Development opportunities and supporting building staff confidence
- Supporting the understanding of broader organisational policy and procedure
- The importance of face to face sessions with colleagues
Reflective question:
- Is there time and space set aside in your organisation for colleagues to discuss and build understanding of organisational policies and procedures?
Charlotte discusses her experience as a group member and some of the benefits of group supervision
Key discussion points:
- Group size that supports opportunities for everyone to share their perspectives.
- Getting to know your colleagues better
- Building skills and learning from peers
Reflective question:
- Do colleagues in your organisation have a safe space to share their perspectives and learn from their peers?
Helen identifies further support that would be useful to better enable teams to make the most of group supervision
Key discussion points:
- Building confidence
- Support and training around facilitation skills
Reflective question:
- What skills and support would be helpful in your organisation to further support group supervision to be successful?
Read the group supervision evidence briefing.
