"What is Supervision?" and other 'Shorts'
What is Professional Supervision? |
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If you work in a people job, you show up all day every day for others. Supervision might be the only hour in your month when someone else is totally just there for you. It is a rare and wonderful space where you can step back from your work and see things clearer and be encouraged and grounded and topped up so that you can be who you want to be in your work, and at home also.
My main job as your supervisor is to believe in you. I’ll see more strengths and competence and awesomeness in you than you see in yourself.
Supervision is not just an empty hole for you to download into. It is a creative, warm, sacred space where you connect with what matters for you, where you see solutions and ways through the difficult challenges you face, and where you feel cared for.
So give me a call!
My main job as your supervisor is to believe in you. I’ll see more strengths and competence and awesomeness in you than you see in yourself.
Supervision is not just an empty hole for you to download into. It is a creative, warm, sacred space where you connect with what matters for you, where you see solutions and ways through the difficult challenges you face, and where you feel cared for.
So give me a call!
What are the five elements of supervision? |
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An effective supervision relationship requires 5 things:
First, a person who wants to do well in their work and to be well in themselves. That’s you, the supervision client. You show up willing to talk about what’s going on for you.
Second, a person who wants to encourage and support. That’s me, your supervisor. I show up ready to listen and ask you interesting questions.
Third, a workplace committed to the professional development and wellbeing of their staff, and willing to pay for supervision.
Forth is a dedicated uninterrupted hour, at least once a month, either in person or online.
Then the magic happens – that’s number 5, the content of the conversation, in the safe confidential space outside of your context, of critical reflection, integration and problem-solving.
First, a person who wants to do well in their work and to be well in themselves. That’s you, the supervision client. You show up willing to talk about what’s going on for you.
Second, a person who wants to encourage and support. That’s me, your supervisor. I show up ready to listen and ask you interesting questions.
Third, a workplace committed to the professional development and wellbeing of their staff, and willing to pay for supervision.
Forth is a dedicated uninterrupted hour, at least once a month, either in person or online.
Then the magic happens – that’s number 5, the content of the conversation, in the safe confidential space outside of your context, of critical reflection, integration and problem-solving.
Why should youth workers have professional supervision?
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As a youth worker you should have supervision. But why?
When the needs of others are so pressing, does it almost feel selfish to stop work for an hour just to talk about yourself?
Sure, supervision is important for your professional ethics and accountability, for your safety and cultural awareness. But mainly supervision is time for you to use how you choose. It is safe space to share your frustrations and joys.
Why? Because the main resource you bring to youth work is you.
Supervision is time out from the busy-ness, where you get to draw together the different parts of who you are. And so you grow in integrity: that powerful experience of your hopes and emotions and words and actions and strategies lining up and releasing your passion and your capacity and your personality.
When the needs of others are so pressing, does it almost feel selfish to stop work for an hour just to talk about yourself?
Sure, supervision is important for your professional ethics and accountability, for your safety and cultural awareness. But mainly supervision is time for you to use how you choose. It is safe space to share your frustrations and joys.
Why? Because the main resource you bring to youth work is you.
Supervision is time out from the busy-ness, where you get to draw together the different parts of who you are. And so you grow in integrity: that powerful experience of your hopes and emotions and words and actions and strategies lining up and releasing your passion and your capacity and your personality.
What is reflective practice in youth work? |
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If you work with kids or teenagers you’re probably a people-person who loves getting involved. And there’s always plenty to do, endless possibilities and points of need. Until you are worn out! Which is why youth work training and supervision is on about reflective practice. Step back, take time to look, listen, feel and talk.
Miriam Teuma describes reflective practice as “an in-depth conversation about what we do and why” that “allows the doing to be more coherent and focused, and the learning that comes from the doing to be more conscious and effective.”
So as your supervisor I won’t tell you what to do, but I will give you tools to figure things out for yourself. I will ask you interesting questions and give you that critical space to reflect and grow in your professional practice.
Miriam Teuma describes reflective practice as “an in-depth conversation about what we do and why” that “allows the doing to be more coherent and focused, and the learning that comes from the doing to be more conscious and effective.”
So as your supervisor I won’t tell you what to do, but I will give you tools to figure things out for yourself. I will ask you interesting questions and give you that critical space to reflect and grow in your professional practice.
Introducing Silvia Purdie: What do I do?
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Why choose Silvia Purdie to be your supervisor? |
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$105 for professional supervision! Really?!
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A hundred dollars seems like a lot of money for a one hour conversation. Is it really worth it? Is your employer reluctant to fork out that kind of cash on a regular basis?
Really the question is – are you worth it? Your organisation pays for you to have supervision as a way of investing in you, your wellbeing and your professional development. Good supervision is excellent value for money when it helps you do well in your job and grow in your career.
Supervision is also vital for the wellbeing of your clients. As your supervisor I hold a responsibility to the people you work with. I keep an ear out for anything which might trip you up or diminish the quality of the service you are providing.
So yes, professional supervision is expensive, but it is worth it for you, for your organisation, and for those you care for.
Really the question is – are you worth it? Your organisation pays for you to have supervision as a way of investing in you, your wellbeing and your professional development. Good supervision is excellent value for money when it helps you do well in your job and grow in your career.
Supervision is also vital for the wellbeing of your clients. As your supervisor I hold a responsibility to the people you work with. I keep an ear out for anything which might trip you up or diminish the quality of the service you are providing.
So yes, professional supervision is expensive, but it is worth it for you, for your organisation, and for those you care for.