96% satisfaction rate for the Practice Supervisor Development Programme
The Practice Supervisor Development Programme (PSDP), a CPD course for social work practice supervisors, has completed its third year with an excellent participant satisfaction rate of 96% across nearly all delivery areas. The programme received a similarly high approval rating in its first two years.
More than 400 participants took the PSDP in the year to March 2021, including social work practice supervisors and the supervisors of practice supervisors. The programme aims to provide a framework for social work supervisors to embed reflective supervision into their practice. It reinforces the central role that reflective supervision plays in enabling practitioners to offer a high quality service to children and families.
The pandemic bought a number of challenges for the social work profession, with families affected by the social and economic effects of the virus as well as the health impacts. Social workers have had to adapt their practice, typically meeting virtually with families who are struggling with increased caring responsibilities, social isolation, home-schooling, overcrowded housing, financial insecurity and who may be grieving for lost loved ones.
The PSDP needed to adapt to a blended, virtual delivery to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all participants.
Jo Williams, PSDP Delivery Lead, said:
“We are really pleased that the programme has been so positively received by the sector and it is so rewarding to see such high satisfaction rates. The pandemic has been an exceptionally challenging time for social workers, people who use services and those who are providing containment and emotional support as supervisors and leaders. It is evident that the programme has helped supervisors to become more confident in managing performance as well as emotionally literate supervision practice.
For social workers to meet the complex needs of children and families, whilst also adapting to a new, virtual way of delivering care and support, they must be properly supported. Good reflective, curious, analytical and emotionally attuned supervision is a key cornerstone to ensuring safe, consistent and good quality social work practice. We are delighted to have further funding this year to hopefully reach a further 700 participants on the programme.”
Comments from course participants:
“(The PSDP) allowed me to not rush into decisions and really reflect on things more.”
“The PSDP gave me a time to reflect and explore a variety of tools that can be utilised during supervision, to enhance the practice of practitioners and improve the outcomes for our children and families.”
“The course … has undoubtedly been revolutionary for me. I can’t sing enough praises for the content of this course and the course leaders whose skills and containment took me and others through what I would call a journey of discovery and enlightenment. I have seen the immediate transformation. For example, after my first attempt at a systemic questioning approach to supervision with my supervisee, I was rewarded with a heartfelt “thank you [participant], I really enjoyed that reflection.”