Supervision Observation (Associate Award only)
This observation process forms a compulsory part of Criterion 10 (Reflecting Upon and Enhancing Practice) of the framework of the UKCGE Recognised Associate Supervisor Programme.
Purpose
The observation process is designed to support development of the observer’s (applicant’s) understanding of the challenges of supervision in context. It also highlights the skills and practices needed to succeed with delivering effective supervision meetings in practice. Use this form to prepare for and reflect on your observation, in dialogue with your chosen supporting supervisor.
It is not a ‘supervision review’ or an evaluative method for monitoring the performance of the supporting supervisor.
What do I need to do?
Identify a ‘supporting supervisor’, a member of a formal supervision team, whose practice you’d like to observe, and ask their permission to join them in a supervision meeting. This can be anyone you choose — from your department or discipline or from another. To offer you a range of experiences, and to ensure some ‘professional distance’ the supporting supervisor should not be your own Principal Investigator or Line Manager. The supporting supervisor should gain permission from the student(s) who will be in the supervision, say why you are present, and reassure students of confidentiality.
Use the Supervision Observation form to collate your thoughts before, during and after the observed session (Parts A and B). After the session, discuss your understanding with the supporting supervisor (Part C). Make notes about your reflections on this experience (Part D) and expand on these as part of your Structured Reflection in Criterion 10 of the Reflective Account Form.
A copy of the completed Supervision Observation Form should be submitted with your Reflective Account, as part of your application.
You are not required to provide a copy of Part D to the supporting supervisor, but they may gain valuable insight from having a copy of parts A‑C which directly relate to their practice.
How to make the most of this process
Remember that you will always observe more than you can record, so please don’t worry about writing down everything that you see. Instead of trying to capture everything, write a couple of bullet points about the key ideas that stay with you, and focus primarily on the last question. This will help to embed your learning; the most important aspect is how your observations will inform your own practice. Write as much or as little as you need to express your immediate thoughts directly after the observation and discussion.