Live supervision involves direct supervision of case practice provided by a more senior practitioner observing the supervisee in practice or accompanying the supervisee while engaging with children, families or other professionals.
This may include the more senior practitioner role-modelling, mentoring, coaching and promoting self-reflection. Live supervision can provide a more complete picture of the supervisee’s strengths and skills. It has the advantage of providing real-time feedback or feedforward, thereby increasing self-awareness, and improving clinical skills.
Live supervision can take different forms such as:
- supervisor and supervisee co-working on cases
- observing the supervisee in practice and the supervisor intervening only when helpful
- practice recordings for later exploration and reflection, noting that permission would be required from clients and supervisees.
Live supervision can be a highly useful learning experience for the supervisee if done well, but also risks being a disempowering experience if done less well. Once again, the relationship quality and trust between the supervisor and supervisee will be crucial.
Live supervision can also be beneficial for clients, who benefit from having input from two practitioners.
Updated