“High expectations, high support and high challenge”, Ofsted’s report (February 2012) about what makes a difference to the outcomes for children involved in the child protection process concluded that good reflective supervision was a crucial part of the process as it enabled social workers “to be emotionally resilient and to be able to use their emotional reactions positively to assist in analysis and assessment” p.22.
Supervision is a method of support offered to staff working in social care settings providing care and emotional support to a range of people some of whom may be acutely distressed. Supervision is a regular space for reflection. Although Ofsted were addressing their report at Child Protection services, supervision offers important functions to social care and social work providers. Supervision is a good method of supporting staff and ensuring they develop and support their emotional intelligence (Goleman 1996). Supervision should support and encourage staff, motivate them in continuing their professional development, help them in mediating the demands of their job with the expectations of the organisation and also allow managers to make sure that they are getting the best out of their staff to deliver good quality services to the people requiring them.
If you manage staff in a private or voluntary organisation working in the provision of services to children or adults and would like to find out more about what supervision is and learn some skills and techniques about becoming a supervisor. You maybe interested to know about a one day course being offered by Practice Matters in Salisbury on 26th April 2012.
PRACTICE MATTERS
Effective Supervision
A practical day to develop the supervisory skills of managers and senior staff working in social care and health services within the private and voluntary sectors
Thursday 26th April 2012
10am-4pm
Red Lion Hotel, Milford St Salisbury
Cost: £85 per person (please note that Lunch is not included but refreshments will be available throughout the day)
Aims:
- To improve the supervision and management practice of Managers and other staff who may have supervisory responsibility
- To explore what we mean by supervision and the expectations of those who are being supervised including at different aspects of the Skills for Care Performance Management continuum.
- Explore the benefits of supervision and how it fits into a performance management framework
- Increasing understanding of when and how to give appropriate constructive feedback to staff.
- Improve communication between senior staff and those they are supervising: assertiveness & listening skills, empathy
- Formal supervision: contracting, setting agendas and record-keeping
- To give supervisors tools to enhance reflective supervisory practice
PRACTICE MATTERS is a collaborative venture between Penny Sturt and Joy Kelly, both of whom are experienced, registered social workers and care professionals with experience of working in a variety of settings with both adults and children. In addition to direct work with service users Penny and Joy have experience in training, coaching, inspection and management. Both are committed to supporting services improve their practice and thereby the quality of service provided.
To request a booking form please email Penny – penny_pendrew@btinternet.com
References
Goleman, D. (1996) Emotional Intelligence
Ofsted (2012) High Expectations, High Support and High Challenge
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