The following set of videos provides new and experienced supervisors with ideas on how they might approach their first 1 to 1 supervision session with the supervisee.
Supervisors should adapt the techniques introduced in these videos to suit their own styles and the type of supervision they are providing, including both managerial and clinical supervision.
This video is relevant for supervisors who may have worked with the supervisee previously in another context.
The supervisor will still need to invest time and effort in establishing the meaning of their changed relationship, their role, and new authority.
Let's get started. Beginnings of relationships are powerful moments. It's important to make the time to get to know one another.
Covering backgrounds and share any personal details that feel relevant. Since this is our first session together, I thought it might be good to start by getting to know each other and how we want to work together. I thought you might like to know a little bit about my background. How does that sound? Sounds great.
Well, I've been working in the homelessness and family violence sector for nearly ten years. I've been supervising for the past three. I enjoy supporting staff and just sharing what I've learned.
I'll admit, I don't know everything. And I really like the supervision process to be as collaborative as possible. I'm a single mum.
I have a five year old son. Some of us have our own lived experience of family violence, and for me, this was when I was a child. And I think it has added to my understanding of the impacts on kids and families. And it's also part of the reason why I do this work.
Tell me a little bit about yourself. Supervisors and leaders sharing their own lived experience stories can have a powerful impact. It can contribute to a positive workplace culture in relation to lived experience and reduce the potential for shame. However, there is never an expectation that a person must share it. The amount of personal information you choose to share is up to you.
It's about building rapport.
Exploring the four functions of supervision is an effective way to draw upon and expand the supervisees understanding of supervision.
Briefly discussing each function facilitates getting to know one another and sharing expectations of supervision. For this first session I thought we could develop, a shared understanding of what we think supervision is and ought to be. Have you ever had supervision training before or had it explained to you?
I haven't had any training, but I have had supervision discussed a bit in my studies. That's great. For me, supervision is about our mutual duty of care to ensure that you're feeling supported in this work, and we're providing the best support for clients and community that we can.
Did you get a chance to look at the information I gave you, or has anybody ever explained the four functions of supervision?
I have had a quick look. Was there anything from the information that you wanted to comment on?
I liked how the supportive function included talking about our assumptions and beliefs and sort of how our backgrounds play out in the work.
I agree, it's important for us to bring our humanity and our whole selves to the work. But, as much as that makes us better practitioners, it can take a toll on us. Ideally, we would cover all four functions during supervision, but this can vary from session to session. And sometimes one function may dominate over another.
For example, it's quite common for the managerial function to overtake other functions. I know when I'm stressed, I tend to focus more on the case work and the doing. So, if you notice me doing this and your needs in other function areas are not being met, can you let me know?
Yes, sure. So how did you want me to do that?
Good question. Maybe when we do the agenda at the start of each session, feel free to suggest we focus more on being reflective and going deeper. It is your supervision. So it's important that you have a big say in the agenda.
Sounds good.
In the next video, we'll talk further about how to discuss a supervision history and how this can be used to inform sessions going forward.
Updated