Practice Consultancy & Development Programmes

Connexions

SUPERVISION AND DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT FOR CONNEXIONS' PERSONAL ADVISORS

The service we offer to Connexions which has been running since June 2004 is one which combines a number of approaches, based on psychological frameworks such as cognitive restructuring, analytic understanding and systemic theories. Drawing on research forms an important aspect, as knowledge and skills are built in a number of ways, including consideration of the evidence base that exists around supervision. There is a mix of provision, individual and group sessions, in order to achieve a cycle of informing, opening up, containing and reflecting.

In the early stages of this programme of supervision and development work, the supervisors help the individuals to address the specific needs and agenda that are considered priority, and this process will inform the detail for the design and content of the group input.

The process and outcomes of the supervision work are at all times treated as highly confidential, and respectful of different perspectives and the expression of a range of emotions and ideas. The ground rules for each encounter or interaction are discussed and clearly agreed. Exceptions to these are explicit and will usually
be for reasons of potential harm to self or others.

Supervision Network

The Supervision

Individual sessions are designed to gather information that will provide insight, heightened awareness and critical understanding of the individual's own work practice.

Groups of up to ten individuals meet for group supervision, which provides peer support and opportunity for discussion around shared themes and agendas. This reflective time can enable the individuals to consider the work they do in relation to others', the approaches they observe others to take up in their work, and how these are facilitated or blocked. Feedback from others is crucial to development and ways that this can take place are considered and offered. Support and
facilitation of the groups' discussions will be provided, aiming to include some critical analysis to promote creative solutions to any conundrums.

Aims

The aims and objectives of the support and development are refined
with the individual, and reviewed and revised at regular intervals
throughout the process. The key features that might be expected to be
identified at the outset are, and these may be modified according to
need:

• To develop competence in addressing the issues presented by young people
• To build an awareness of own personal responses and beliefs around the work
• To build on individual skills in communication and forming relationships
• To identify and manage those elements of the relationships that hinder or prevent effective functioning
• Establish the beliefs and views about elements, issues, groups or individuals within one's working practice in order to understand them and place them in perspective for the work
• To identify and articulate the resources for young people that might be available/ necessary and increase understanding of their application and utilisation as appropriate
• To address and raise awareness of issues of protection and safety
• To keep abreast of legislative imperatives and other guidance with regard to the work
• To articulate the capability and development needs of the worker and to consider how these might be met.

Frequency and Amount of Time

Supervision will be provided on a one-to-one basis monthly and frequency will be adjusted as necessary to experience, confidence and agendas. Each session will last 1.5 hour. Currently, there is a total of 300 individual supervision sessions altogether offered in the year.

Group supervision will be provided every two months and will last 2 hours. Under the current contract, there is capacity for a total of 72 group supervision sessions altogether offered in the year.

The frequency of individual group sessions is reviewed as necessary and can vary over the course of the support plan.

Pattern of Input

Each session (individual or group) has a pattern designed to promote information sharing, reflection, critical analysis and feedback.

Supervision Log Books

Each individual in receipt of supervision has a log book, recording the key features of the discussion, key decisions, feedback and any agreed objectives. The log book opens to the scrutiny of the individual and group supervisors and will be an important record of the process. Each Supervisor also has their own log book, also recording key features of the process and this will be open to the scrutiny of
those in receipt of supervision (to their respective sections), and to the scrutiny of Margie Callanan.

Evaluation

This will be designed with those in receipt of supervision and it is Margie's responsibility to ensure that the process and outcomes are captured and fed back.