Defining supervision

Supervision is a term which has a range of definitions, types, forms and models.

The different professions in a service or team are likely to have different supervision requirements and expectations. A number of competency and knowledge and skills frameworks may also specify the need for supervision.

There is no one size fits all defnition that suits everyone working in the mental health and addictions. Supervision needs to be tailored to fit each organisation.

Activities like coaching, preceptorship, mentoring, performance appraisal and clinical case/load review are not supervision. However they are still very useful and important professional development and clinical activities.

Types of supervision

Professional supervision

Focused on developing a person’s skills, understanding, abilities and ethical requirements of practice in their profession.

Clinical supervision

Focused on developing a person’s clinical role and practice with a focus on quality control, assessment of the person’s knowledge, roles, attitudes, beliefs and skills.

Cultural supervision

A relationship between peopeof the same culture with the purpose of ensuring the person is practising according to the values, protocols and practices of that particular culture. This can be a formal or informal relationship.

Management or line-management supervision

Focused on monitoring and evaluating a person on issues such as attendance, time keeping, documentation, work allocation, productivity, workplace goals and issues. It occurs within the workplace, typically within a clear hierarchical relationship.

Supervision and HPCA Act

Supervision means the monitoring of, and reporting on, the performance of a health practitioner by a professional peer
(Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003:13).