Frequently asked questions

The programme is for anyone working for an organisation that supports children and families, or adults and communities across the health and social care sector. It is aimed at a wide range of practice supervisors or those in equivalent roles who have responsibility for supervising practitioners, or influence over the organisation's supervision culture.  

For example, you may be a new manager who supervises the day-to-day work of other practitioners. This could be within a local authority, NHS trust or multi-agency team, the third-sector, or an independent provider.

The first programme will begin in Spring 2025. We will share details in due course and aim to share dates a minimum of eight weeks before the start of the programme.

One cohort will be aimed at participants working with children and families, and one for those working with adults.

The programme includes:

• Five full-day online workshops that will include taught elements and activities designed to deepen and expand learning, alongside some ‘practice’ homework between sessions. Activities will be whole group or small group, in breakout rooms.

• Two experienced facilitators with a strong background in reflective supervision and knowledge of the sector.

• Opportunities to learn from and network with colleagues from a range of local areas.

We have a track record in developing and delivering learning and development and the programme is designed to provide a range of opportunities to embed learning in your area.

The programme will be delivered online with participants across regions.

The logistics and facilitator team are experienced in online facilitation of a high-quality learning programme. The programme is designed to enable effective engagement online. Short sessions, with regular breaks, individual, paired and group exercises and discussion time are incorporated into the format. 

Microsoft Teams. We recommend the app-based version (rather than the browser version) for best functionality.

We encourage all participants and their managers to ensure they have dedicated time away from business and other distractions to fully engage in all elements of the programme and the virtual learning sessions. To aid learning you will be sent electronic workbooks that can be printed or used interactively. 

Between 25 and 30 participants per programme are expected.

We will support leadership development for professionals, and we aim to:

• Be sector facing, giving due respect to practice wisdom and making sure we engage with stakeholders at every opportunity.

• Be open, constructive, collegiate and inclusive.

• Be values driven, offering mutual respect and appropriate challenge where necessary.

• Be informed by evidence.

• Be professional, reflective and responsive.

The programme aims to provide consistent and coherent delivery that is a positive experience for participants and facilitators and with the best outcomes for all concerned.

Each course has two experienced facilitators with experience of continuous professional development (CPD) delivery and/or will be experienced in developing this programme and/or related content. They will have a strong understanding of practice and will be aware of the core values and principles of the programme.

There are no pre-course study requirements.

We strongly recommend individuals/organisations to have Terms of Engagement that establish the requirement for participants to be fully engaged and attentive during learning sessions and for organisations to ensure time is made available for individuals to attend away from work priorities.

We ask that you engage with all programme elements, and you make time for any online study, where possible. This will enhance your experience and the shared learning for all participants. It also maximises the benefits and the investment made by your organisation.

We understand that there can be exceptional and unforeseen circumstances that occur – we encourage you to let us know at the earliest opportunity, so we can consider how we can support you.

If you are unable to attend one or more modules, we may deem non-attendance to be withdrawal from the programme depending on the information you have provided and any specific circumstances.

There is no formal accreditation. A ‘Certificate of Participation’ can be issued on request.

We are opening individual bookings soon and expect the programme to be very popular. By registering your interest you will be sent further information in late October. This will include a booking form, dates and pricing. 

If you are interested in taking part in the programme, we recommend that you speak with your manager and share this information. Bookings can be made by individuals with organisational approval, senior leaders and/or those who have the delegated authority to nominate and commit funding.

Register your interest to book

For further information please email programmes@researchinpractice.org.uk. 

We are offering an introductory price of £1200 per participant for the first phase of the programme. We will send programme details to those who have registered their interest in late October.  

Please contact programmes@researchinpractice.org.uk for further information.

When you request a place, we will review the information and issue a contract. When the contract is signed and returned, you or your organisation accept the terms and conditions with the given deadline, and we will issue an invoice for payment within 30 days. The contract will be binding after a 14 day ‘cool off’ period.

Organisations can purchase multiple places without participant names. Participant details will be requested prior to the start of the programme.

Places are allocated on a first come first served basis based on contracts being signed and returned by the deadline. When allocating bookings, we will consider roles and ensure a balance of numbers across areas.

If the programme has already started, we will not be able to offer the place to another participant. We may be able to accommodate a participant who misses one day due to unforeseen circumstances and is able to attend the remaining days.

If you can no longer attend and the programme hasn't started, we recommend that you contact our team.

If your organisation has bought multiple places, you may nominate another participant from your organisation. 

If you withdraw during the programme, you will no longer have access to materials or elements of the programme, other than open access resources. We are unable to offer refunds for unattended modules.

We are unable to offer a refund if you withdraw prior to the programme starting and no one from your organisation can take your place.

If you are unable to attend one or more modules, we may deem non-attendance to be withdrawal depending on the information you have provided and any specific circumstances.

Yes, we are planning further programmes, such as sessions for middle leaders and aspiring practice supervisors. We plan to gather feedback and evaluate these first cohorts to develop further programmes.

If you are interested in taking part in the programme, we recommend that you speak with your senior leader and share this information.

The events team at Research in Practice will have access to basic data to administer the course/s and send out resources and information. Noone else will be able to access individual participant data.

Aggregated evaluation data will be available so that programme information can be monitored and promoted.

Participants will be asked to complete feedback after each day. This is anonymised feedback, and an aggregate report will be sent at the end of the programme to each participating individual/organisation.

We will be particularly interested in feedback of the overall experience from both organisations and participants to help us refine and further develop the programme to maximise benefit to the sector. We may request contact details for those who are willing to be contacted for further discussion.