WSLHD Clinical Supervision Program

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Welcome to the Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) Clinical Supervision Program.

Clinical Supervision is a working alliance between a Supervisor and one or more clinician/s (Supervisee) that takes place in planned, regular meetings (protected time) within a secure and confidential environment. Staff have an opportunity to critically reflect on professional issues brought to the session by the Supervisee/s. Content for discussion may include issues that arise in interactions with patients, their families and staff, exposure to traumatic events at work, professional boundary issues and challenges of working in a large institution. It is different from therapy, performance management and line management.

Clinical Supervision sessions may be conducted in groups or with individual staff depending on the situation.

Participation in the WSLHD Clinical Supervision is a voluntary professional development opportunity and is a positive experience.

What does Clinical Supervision involve?

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Are you interested in becoming a Clinical Supervisor?

Clinical Supervisors must have attended an approved Clinical Supervision training program recognised by WSLHD.

The WSLHD Clinical Supervision Training Program is an interactive online course on Moodle with integrated virtual classroom sessions. The course will be offered approximately 3- 4 times per year and is open to all staff who have the support of their manager to participate in the program.
Application process: If you are interested, please go the ‘Documentation’ tab on this page, complete the WSLHD Clinical Supervision Program Nomination Form for Supervisors and email it to WSLHD-ClinicalSupervision@health.nsw.gov.au.
A commitment to completing all components of the course within the agreed timing (one month from the commencement date) is essential. It is assumed that by agreeing to become a Clinical Supervisor, you have discussed the expectations of the role with your Manager and are fully supported to provide Clinical Supervision for 2 hours per month for WSLHD staff.
The course will include four (4) weekly modules and a virtual classroom session (further details available by emailing WSLHD-ClinicalSupervision@health.nsw.gov.au). It is anticipated that the entire course (Moodle activities and virtual classroom participation) will require 16 hours to complete. A certificate of completion will be issued once all the components of the course have been attended to (within agreed dates) and will be entered into My Health Learning.
The course content includes theory, application of the Clinical Supervision Model, communication techniques, group facilitation skills and practicing facilitating clinical supervision sessions.
Accreditation as a WSLHD Clinical Supervisor will be obtained upon successfully meeting all the components of the course within the agreed dates.

Professional Development Education Sessions

Community of Practice Sessions

In these one hour virtual sessions, you have the opportunity to collaborate with your Clinical Supervisor colleagues, sharing your experience and troubleshooting issues that you may encounter during the clinical supervision sessions. Experienced and beginner Clinical Supervisors alike will be able to network with each other across the LHD, sharing the highs and the lows whilst building your confidence and extending your skills and techniques.

Mentoring sessions with Philip Armstrong - Clinical Supervision for WSLHD Clinical Supervisors

(will recommence once normal activity resumes in WSLHD).

Philip Armstrong, an independent Clinical Supervisor, will provide mentoring sessions for the Clinical Supervisors who have received training through the WSLHD Clinical Supervision Training Program. The hour long sessions are held monthly at 1430- 1530hrs via virtual platform or face to face as able.

For further information, please contact Jane at WSLHD-ClinicalSupervision@health.nsw.gov.au.

Confidentiality in Clinical Supervision

Confidentiality is the cornerstone of the success of the Clinical Supervision Program in WSLHD. The relationship between the Supervisor and Supervisees is based on trust and openness and is completely separate from your line management, however, confidentiality must remain within legal and ethical boundaries.

These legal and ethical boundaries include circumstances where an issue is identified during Clinical Supervision which requires escalation. The issues disclosed may be a breach of professional standards/ code of conduct; concerns of risk of harm to self or others; or mandatory reporting requirements. The Clinical Supervisor will work alongside the Supervisee and follow the correct escalation pathway to manage the issue/concern.

How to access Clinical Supervision in WSLHD

The Clinical Supervision Program is open to all Nursing and Midwifery staff across WSLHD regardless of your role, area of specialisation or years of experience.

The first step is to discuss your interest in participating in the program with your manager
Complete the Supervisee Nomination Form (located on this site, Education Portal, WSLHD)
Send the completed signed form to WSLHD-ClinicalSupervision@health.nsw.gov.au
You will receive an email with contact details of your Clinical Supervisor to arrange your first session.
If you are interested in undertaking Clinical Supervision with 4 – 6 of your colleagues or someone known to you, please include this information on the Nomination Form.

How are the groups formed?

Groups will consist of approximately 4- 6 people, comprising of nurses/ midwives from across the LHD. The group will either be a collection of colleagues who have identified their common interest in participating in Clinical Supervision together, or a selection of staff from across the LHD who are compatible and interested in experiencing Clinical Supervision.

The Supervisor and the Supervisee(s) need to mutually agree to form a group. In instances where the group members/ Supervisor experience disharmony, changes to the membership of the alliance will be arranged by contacting the Clinical Supervision Program Coordinator at the email address below.

Individual Clinical Supervision (1:1) will be arranged as required/where deemed appropriate. This will be based on individual circumstances and where Clinical Supervisor capacity is available. Any concerns should be emailed to WSLHD-ClinicalSupervision@health.nsw.gov.au

How often do the Clinical Supervision groups meet?

The groups will aim to meet, as a minimum, for one hour on a monthly basis in a location that is separate from the Supervisee’s work space (i.e. away from the ward or clinical environment).

The frequency of the meetings is flexible dependent upon the availability of the Supervisor and the need of the Supervisees.

Clinical Supervision meetings should take place at a time that is mutually agreed upon between the Supervisee and their Manager. Handover cross over periods, in environments where they occur, would be suitable.

In some cases, a Supervisee many need some 1:1 sessions in addition to the group Clinical Supervision sessions. This will be organised according to the availability of the Supervisor or discussion with the Program Coordinator (WSLHD-ClinicalSupervision@health.nsw.gov.au).