Supervision
What we offer:
At Brightcore Consultancy we provide supervision to DSLs, DDSLs & Designated Senior Mental Health Leads and their deputies. Regular safeguarding and clinical supervision has been a feature of both social care and clinical settings for many years, and yet many education settings still do not have this crucial support structure in place, despite regular recommendation in numerous child safeguarding practice reviews.
Supervision is ultimately about improving outcomes for the children and young people we work with by supporting DSLs, DDSLs or DSMHLs and maintaining professional standards by providing a safe space for supervisees to reflect on, and respond to, cases, tasks and circumstances that are presenting within their role. When conducted properly, supervisees should feel supported, challenged, and developed through the supervision process.
How does Supervision work?
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All our supervisors are highly qualified and experienced both in supervision, and as DSLs and DSMHLs, in education settings and have all necessary DBS checks and references.
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Supervision sessions are conducted 1-2-1, typically in 50-minute sessions, and usually occur remotely via Zoom, (but can also be delivered on-site and for longer sessions by arrangement). The DSL, DDSL or DSMHL, as supervisee, gets to set the agenda and then works together with their supervisor to reflect on actions taken so far, recognise where they are now and what they need to move forward with particular cases, tasks or situations. This is why supervision should be led by a qualified supervisor who knows the field you are working in.
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A secure written record of the supervision meeting is produced by the Supervisor and sent to the Supervisee within 5 working days of the supervision session.
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We recommend supervision occurs half-termly, but the frequency is at your discretion; some supervisees opt to have supervision fortnightly, whereas some opt for termly.
Why is Supervision important?
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Having effective supervision in place will not only support you in your role but is essential in maintaining professional standards.
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Supervision is often mistaken for therapy, which is not the case, although there can sometimes be a therapeutic benefit from the process. Supervision is very much forward facing with an element of reflection, giving supervisees a professional conversation in a safe space in which they can reflect on, review & respond to cases, tasks or situations they are dealing with as part of their role.
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Supervision is a professional investment; schools and colleges should ideally therefore support and fund this in terms of professional development and support for DSLs, DDSLs & DSMHLs
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It will be a time burden so meetings should ideally be scheduled during the school/college day if possible, as good practice; reflecting the importance of this professional meeting.
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Supervision shouldn’t feel onerous as it is about development and support. It also does not have to be a permanent arrangement, so if, as a supervisee, you are not benefitting or making progress, then stop and find alternative supervision.
Please get in touch if you would like to find out more about any of the above.
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