At Counselling Tutor, we emphasize the importance of effective supervision, especially when working with student counsellors. Here’s a comprehensive guide to ensure a smooth and enriching supervisory experience.

Primary Supervisor for Student Counsellors: If you are the primary supervisor for a student attending an educational institution or private training provider and engaging in 100+ supervised client work, follow these steps:

1. Insurance Check: Ensure your insurance policy covers the supervision of students.
2. Training Provider Compatibility: Verify that the student’s training provider is comfortable with a “supervisor in training” overseeing their students’ supervision. Some providers may require fully qualified supervisors.
3. Three-Cornered Contract: Establish a clear agreement involving yourself, the supervisee, and the training provider. This document outlines responsibilities, such as attendance, information sharing, and procedures for suspected malpractice.
4. Documentation from Training Provider: Obtain any required documents from the training provider to validate supervisee attendance and effective utilization of supervision.

Secondary Supervisor in an Agency: For secondary supervisors working within agencies and supervising students or qualified colleagues, the following protocol is recommended:

1. Transparent Communication: Ask the supervisee to inform their primary supervisor about your supervisory role. Transparency ensures everyone is well-informed.
2. Clear Contract: Draft a comprehensive contract detailing confidentiality limits and the commitment to inform the primary supervisor of any malpractice concerns.
3. Client Safety Priority: In situations where clients or third parties are at risk, confirm whether the supervisee has discussed the issue with their primary supervisor and followed recommended actions.

Note: Collaboration and adherence to established procedures are vital, particularly when working with student counsellors. Clarity and communication ensure a harmonious supervisory journey, fostering growth and ethical practice.