Welcome to the Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) Clinical Supervision Program.
Reflective supervision is a working alliance between a supervisor and clinician/s (Supervisee) that takes place during planned, regular meetings (protected time) in a secure and confidential environment. Sessions can be conducted in groups or an individual basis. A suggested definition of Clinical Supervision (HETI: 2013: 64) is a “process within which the clinician brings his or her practice under scrutiny in order to more fully appreciate the meaning of their experience, to develop their abilities, to maintain standards of practice and to provide a more therapeutic service to the client”. It is an opportunity for the clinician to reflect on relationships and perspectives related to clinical work (‘Reflective’ clinical supervision) rather than the management of cases (‘Point of care’ clinical supervision). While some aspects overlap (e.g., goal setting and providing clinician support), the approach of both is quite different. Facilitated reflective supervision sessions may be conducted in groups or with individual staff depending on the situation.
Participation in the WSLHD facilitated reflective supervision is a voluntary professional development opportunity and is a positive experience.
Reflective Supervisors must have completed an approved reflective supervision training program recognised by WSLHD.
- The WSLHD Reflective Clinical Supervisor Training Program is an opportunity for experienced staff to learn how to become a reflective supervisor. The program is 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.
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To apply for the program, please enrol via My Health Learning. The course code is CSK14852 - WSLHD Reflective Clinical Supervisor Training Program. You will need your manager's approval for enrolment.
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A commitment to completing all components of the course within the agreed timing with the program coordinator is essential. It is assumed that by agreeing to become a reflective supervisor, you have discussed the expectations of the role with your manager and are fully supported to provide reflective supervision for a minimum 1 hour per month for WSLHD staff.
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The program is delivered over four (4) weeks. Each week participants are required to complete a 4 hours online learning module on Moodle and attend a 2 hours virtual classroom session on MS TEAMs. It is anticipated that the entire course (Moodle activities and virtual classroom participation) will require a minimum of 24 hours to complete. Participants of the program will be marked of as completed on My Health Learning (MHL) once all components of the program requirement have been attended to.
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The program content includes: adult learning principles and theories, communication techniques and individual and group facilitation skills.
In the one hour virtual sessions, participants have the opportunity to engage in discussions and share their experiences with other reflective supervisors. Both novice and experienced reflective supervisors will have the opportunity to connect and collaborate across the LHD, exchanging
insights, celebrating successes, and overcoming obstacles. This supportive environment fosters confidence building and the enhancement of reflective practice skills and techniques.
Confidentiality is the cornerstone of the success of the WSLHD Reflective Clinical Supervisor Training Program .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 reflective 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 reflective supervisor will work alongside the supervisee and follow the correct escalation pathway to manage the issue/concern.
The supervisor and supervisee/s will aim to meet, as a minimum, for one hour monthly in a location that is separate from the supervisee’s workspace (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.
Reflective 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.
If you have any questions regarding the WSLHD Clinical Supervision Program, please send an email to: [email protected].