Group Supervision

Click for  a Working Together ACR Article on Group Supervision using a model of group supervision that has been used very successfully for many years for medical General Practitioners.  The program is specifically designed to meet the needs of  clergy and other pastoral workers serving in range of ministries.  Minimum number of participants 6 maximum number of participants 10. 

Length of Time: Group Sessions go for 90 minutes 

Frequency: Group Sessions are conducted once a month for 10 months of the year. February to November.

Price: $600.00 for 10 Sessions

Click for ACR Article on Group Supervison

 The supervisors are not there to fix things! Both the members of the group and the supervisors are there to provide peer-support so that the client may learn from experience. For this to happen, the supervisors roles in this process are to provide a safe environment….. Your primary task, as a client, is to explore as fully as possible the frustrations, disruptions and interruptions that are becoming problematic for your work in a ministry context. This is not group therapy! That said, if you have need of a more therapeutic form of learning, your supervisors will be of assistance in finding a model of therapy that best suits your need. The group works best when it is cohesive, reliable and predictable. Regular attendance is a key for this, and so we ask you to make your attendance a priority in your schedule. Another aspect of helping the group to work well for the benefit of all clients, is to actively participate which demonstrates respect for and values the work of each member. 

 The focus of the sessions is reflective learning from experience that the clients may take into their work experience and practice following the learning models stated above. The relationship between supervisors, client and other group members is to be characterised by mutual exploration and is therefore consultative and reflective. It will encourage and suggest ways of learning from practices and events which the client can explore with the supervisors and the group in ways that lead to action. Issues a client might pursue in this relationship include exploring opportunities, challenges and conflicts in the workplace; work relationships; the impact of work on one’s life and faith journey and looking at transitions within a work environment or out of a particular pastoral context. Learning may take the form of a deeper understanding of the workplace culture, personalities or relationships, discovering practical skills or identifying areas for skill development, reshaping and reimagining workplaces or contexts, and inviting people to discover fresh ways of looking at themselves and others, and any problems, situations and challenges confronting them in their pastoral placement.There may be times when supervision is that last thing you want to do because of the uncomfortable emotions you may be experiencing. However, experience has demonstrated that this may prove to be an unusually productive period. It may be a great opportunity as it means that the group are tackling issues that are important to you. You have decided to begin the process of giving and receiving support and working towards the changes needed to make your ministry in the Church of Christ more effective. 

 As required by professional practice, the Pastoral Supervisors are supervision during the time of the contract and may want to discuss his/her supervision practice with his/her supervisor. If this is deemed necessary privacy and confidentiality will be respected and permission from the client will be sought before sharing any confidential detail. Other than with your permission, the pastoral supervisor will restrict the conversations on supervision sessions with his/her supervisor to generalities consistent with exercising the role of supervisor in the sessions. The client will not be personally identified at any stage.

The Pastoral Supervisor will abide by the following privacy and confidentiality policies:§ Information collected and stored will be only that required to assist in the responsible and professional undertaking of the supervisory role. This may include personal contact and health details; notes on sessions for reflection and appropriate follow up. § Personal information will not be shared with a third party unless: consent has been received and then only with professional colleagues to ensure better outcomes. This will follow professional confidentiality standards.- subject to mandatory reporting such as in suspected self-harm; harming another; sexual abuse or in other instances, as required by law.§ Clients have the right to access information on file. 

As well as those outlined in this document, Rev Dr John Francis Collins and Dr Debra Snoddy follow the Code of Ethics of Australian Association of Supervision as on their websites: http://www.supervision.org.au/values-guiding-principles-professional-standards-ethical-practice/