When beginning external supervision for the first time a new supervisor can have a number of questions about the process, particularly if supervision is not something they participated in during their training or if they do not work within a profession where professional supervision is a usual practise. It is these questions that have generated this series of blogs, looking at the answer to some of these FAQ. I hope these blogs have assisted to clarify how you can use external supervision, open up conversations between supervisors and supervisees about how supervision is being used, and may also have been passed onto others who may have similar questions. In the first three blogs I explored what kind of things to discuss in external supervision and how to decide what to discuss in external supervision, the value of supervision and how to find an external supervisor? For those who still want to know more about how to use the supervision space, this particular blog will explore the supervisees’ perspective on ‘hot tips’ about how to use your external supervision.
What tips would you give to someone else about how to use their external supervision?
- This time is for and about you so keep it focussed on what you need to develop your professional career.
- Trust the process and utilise the time to be open and honest with your supervisor and enjoy the challenge of thinking about things through a different lens.
- Be clear about the expectations of both supervisee and supervisor.
- Embrace the opportunity to collaboratively unpack and problem solve so that you find more satisfaction in your role.
- Be brave and be specific.
- Use external supervision in whatever way feels right to you so that you feel enriched as both a person and practitioner. Also ensure your use of supervision aligns with any expectations your agency may have around external supervision.
- Take notes for yourself about possible discussion topics for supervision for the month before.
- Be focussed and go into supervision with an “agenda” and own the space, make sure the time is intentional.
- Think about what you want to take and why – think about what you are hoping to achieve at the end.
- I would suggest coming prepared to supervision to get the most out of it. I usually spend some time the day before to reflect and to write down a couple sentences about what I want to discuss.
- Ensure the supervisor is the ‘right fit’ for you. It is OK to meet a new supervisor first to see if this looks to be a mana enhancing, effective fit, good supervision encourages reflective practice. (NB: we explored this more in the previous blog)
- I encourage that experienced [social] workers still utilise supervision fully, it is not about ‘learning the job’ or role, but about continuing to learn.
- There may be times when supervision looks at my learning styles or reactions, or my “weak points” if you like. In this way, it may bring me to a deeper reflection and awareness of self.
- Notice patterns of behaviour [in the workplace] or repeating situations and consider addressing these.
- Take issues where you think you might benefit from another perspective or guidance through alternative questioning.
- The best supervision for me is when I can take some time straight after and reflect on the kōrero we have just had.
- Be honest.
And here is a final and poignant, informative ‘tip’:
“Be prepared for the fact that the supervisor doesn’t give you the answers – in my experience the conversation is facilitated until such time as I figure out the answer myself, or I am prompted to think in such a way that I find a solution. [Actually] I am always in two minds about this – some days when it is a really hairy issue I want a black and white answer, effectively someone to make the decision for me. Other times I like that I get there myself, eventually with some prompting [sometimes]. Sometimes it feels hard, but I think you have to persevere.”
Supervision is about doing our best work, ensuring the best outcome for clients, tangata whaiora, and whanau, while also ensuring we are well and healthy in our work to be able to give our best in all situations. It is about utilising time to notice what we are doing and what we are learning and how we are growing. My personal final tip: keep your clients/mahi front and central and work with the agenda and topic that keeps you doing your best work as the most important focus; sometimes this will mean discussing client work, sometimes it may be organisational systems, and sometimes this will mean taking care of yourself and discussing something other than client work! Use your supervision in the way that enhances your work the most.
Wishing you many new discoveries on your external supervision journey.
Ngā mihi
Karen