Clinical supervision modes and models

There are many models of reflective practice that can be used in clinical supervision, and they may vary within different professional groups and settings. Each of the different models are grounded in theories and practices common to all.

ACT nurses, midwives and allied health professionals are trained in various clinical supervision models and below provides an example of a model being offered in partnership by the ACT Office of the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer (CNMO) and ACT Office of the Chief Allied Health Officer (CAHO).

Find out how to become a supervisor or receive supervision.

Role Development Model

The model uses ‘role analysis’ which provides an opportunity for the supervisee to become more conscious of their actions and interactions (behaviours) during the reflective process. This approach is reflective, restorative and enabling. The focus is on the supervisor exploring the question rather than solving the problem. This approach focuses on the role of the professional and is very much person-centred.

The supervisee is guided through a range of techniques, to consider new ways of viewing situations and move forward productively to become more ‘progressive’. It is not necessary to be an expert in the supervisees field, however it is necessary to be adequately trained in the art and skill of clinical supervision.

Further information on the Role Development Model can be found on the Clinical Supervision Consultancy website.

For information on other models and training email clinical.supervision@act.gov.au.

The clinical supervision pilot project

From July 2020 to June 2021, the CNMO led the Clinical Supervision Pilot Project, which aimed to discover the strategies, processes and resources needed to introduce Clinical Supervision for ACT nurses and midwives on a larger scale.

The project identified to:

• develop ACT nurses and midwives as clinical supervisors through an endorsed program
• establish a clinical supervision coordinator position
• collaboratively engage the ACT public health system to implement clinical supervision.

For more information, download the Clinical Supervision Pilot Project Evaluation.

This project was initiated in response to the 2019 joint Position Statement: Clinical Supervision for Nurses and Midwives, released by the Australian College of Nurses (ACN), Australian College of Midwives (ACM) and Australian College of Mental Health Nurses (ACMHN).

It recommended clinical supervision be accessible for all nurses and midwives irrespective of their specific role, area of practice and years of experience.

Go to the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses website to download the position statement.

Governance

A governance structure was established to develop and deliver clinical supervision across the ACT public health service for nurses, midwives and allied health professionals.

This is achieved through the ACT Health Directorate Clinical Supervision Strategic Planning and Implementation Committee, Chaired by the ACT Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer. This Committee has representation from relevant ACT public health workplaces and key stakeholders to ensure appropriate leadership and decision making.

Resources

• Australian Clinical Supervision Association
• Clinical Supervision Consultancy - Clinical Supervision Training in the Role Development Model
• Australian College of Mental Health Nurses - Special Interest Group
• Australian College of Mental Health Nursing - Best Practice Resources
• ACT Health - clinical supervision A4 poster

Contacts

Canberra Health Services

For clinical supervision policy and procedures:

• Allied health – chs.executivedirectorofalliedhealthoffice@act.gov.au
• Nursing and midwifery – CHS.NMPSS@act.gov.au
• CHS clinical supervision intranet

Calvary Public Hospital Bruce

For clinical supervision policy and procedures, email clinicalsupervision@calvary-act.com.au.

ACT Health Directorate

• Office of the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer – Clinical.Supervision@act.gov.au
• Office of the Chief Allied Health Officer – chiefalliedhealthoffice@act.gov.au