Supervisory Practices in Healthcare: What is happening in your workplace?

From Benign to Transformative: A Spectrum of Supervisory Experiences

Over many years, in our workplaces, we have all seen the spectrum of supervisory experiences, from toxic and benign to positive and transformative. At it’s best it is an activity that emphasises personalised learning skills, practice development and personal support. Transformational supervision is possible when a supervisor and a supervisee work together to co-design customised supervision sessions that fit the supervisee’s learning style, needs and learning stage.

Transformative supervision, the pinnacle of supervisory practices, is defined by mutual respect, high quality learning, psychological safety, clear expectations, and the facilitation of significant professional and personal growth. It creates a thriving environment where supervisors and supervisees collaborate towards common learning goals, fostering a culture of reflection, continual learning and self-improvement.

Is your workplace supervision friendly?

As we aspire to transformative supervision experiences, what is happening in your own workplace?

• Is supervisory practice in your workplace informed and aligned with best practice, research, and evidence?

• Is supervision training prioritised and do you have the opportunity to review and update your skills?

• What would be the experience of supervisees in your workplace?

Let’s explore five critical elements essential for aspiring to transformative supervision in the workplace.

Organisational Commitment to Supervision

An unwavering organisational commitment to supervision is the bedrock of best practice supervision.

When an organisation embeds supervision into its core values, allocates resources and sets structured processes for regular, quality supervision, it communicates a clear message: the growth and development of each employee is crucial to the success of the entire team.

‘Open to Learning’ Employees

Transformative supervision thrives in an environment where employees approach their roles with a willingness to learn and grow. They actively seek feedback, not as a formality, but as a genuine tool for professional and personal development.

Supervision Training

Effective supervision doesn't happen by accident; it is a skill honed through targeted and explicit training. We would never expect a professional to engage in any other workplace activity without training – why do we do this for supervision?

By investing in high-calibre supervision training, for both supervisors and supervisees that is reviewed and revisited on a regular basis, organisations equip everyone with the tools needed to participate positively throughout their working life.

Training should encompass key elements including frameworks for transformative supervision, how to build learning goals, the styles and stages of learning, how to build a psychologically safe learning partnerships, how to delineate between supervision and other workplace relationships like line management and how to deliver feedback.

This investment ensures you have both skilled supervisees who can drive their own learning and supervisors who understand how to support their supervisors towards professional excellence.

Psychologically Safe Learning Culture

A psychologically safe learning culture is one where employees feel secure in sharing ideas, asking questions, and expressing concerns without fear of shame, judgement, humiliation, or retribution.

When a workplace is psychologically safe, it is easy for supervisees and supervisors to enter supervision ready for dialogue, reflection, and mutual learning. They can also engage deeply, take considered risks, and contribute to an innovative and resilient workplace.

Adult Learning Principles

Everyone brings a wealth of experience and self-direction to the learning process. Supervision, therefore, must be collaborative, practical, and relevant to the supervisee's work - learning is both self-directed and guided by the expertise of the supervisor.

The application of adult learning principles ensures that supervision is tailored and takes advantage of the strengths and needs of each employee.

This approach not only nurtures the well-being and growth of the workforce but also enhances the quality of care provided to the people with whom we work.

By investing in best practice supervision training that is regularly updated, we not only enhance the wellbeing of our workforce but also improve the quality of care provided to the people with whom we work.

Alongside my 2 day Professional Supervision training, my 1-day Advanced Supervision program is available to individuals who have completed my foundational 2 day program. It provides a deeper exploration of the core skills of supervision and offers the opportunity to review, reinforce and consolidate and extend the learnings from my 2 day workshop.

The next Advanced Supervision course is on Monday 2 June - I have a few places left in this program - registrations close on 26 May unless sold out prior to this date.

My Professional Supervision training runs regularly throughout the year either online or in person. Early bird rates are still available for courses on or after July 2025.