How can we enable leaders and supervisors to put reflection into practice? Explore the latest Research in Practice resources to build reflective supervision in our organisations.
There is widespread agreement that practitioners in caring professions need supervision. Supervision can improve critical thinking and decision-making skills, support with the emotional demands of practice and increase job satisfaction and staff wellbeing. Crucially it can also help practitioners focus on outcomes that matter to people who draw on care and support. But what does good supervision look like? New sections of our open access learning hub are now available to support leaders and supervisors.
Practice supervisors need to create meaningful spaces with their supervisees that build their critical thinking and decision-making skills and their reflective capacity. The resources contain practical tips and tools, learning from research and reflective questions that guide practice supervisors through the functions of supervision, and how to take a balanced, well-rounded approach to supervision.
They are accompanied by a new section of the hub dedicated to supporting practice leaders who play a critical role in promoting a positive supervision culture. All resources are open access and applicable to children’s and adults services.
New sections include:
What is the purpose of supervision?
Research studies show that supervision provides many positive benefits for practitioners, organisations and people who draw on care and support. This chapter explores its role and function.
Putting reflection at the heart of supervision
Many practitioners say that they would like to reflect more in practice. This chapter focuses on how we practice supervisors can put reflection at the heart of supervision.
Supporting critical analysis
Practice supervisors play a key role in supporting practitioners to critically reflect on their practice in supervision. This chapter focuses on how best to support critical analysis.
Resources for practice leaders
Resources in this section are aimed at both middle and senior leaders. This includes guidance for managers of practice supervisors about how they can model reflective supervision.
About the hub
The Reflective supervision: Learning Hub aims to build a positive culture of supervision throughout an organisation.
It contains practical ideas and tips, learning from research and ideas about how to put learning into practice in supervision. The collection replaces the Practice Supervisor Development Programme (PSDP) website with many of the materials updated or improved.
PSDP was a significant learning programme commissioned by the Department for Education. It aimed to empower practitioners to build confidence, mobilise academic knowledge and practice expertise, and work in partnership with the sector. An archive of previous PSDP resources is available as part of the hub and historic ones are available on request.
Reflective supervision: Learning Hub
An open access resource and tool hub to support practice supervisors and middle leaders who are responsible for the practice of others.
