Reflective supervision programmes

Practice Supervisor Development Programme 

The Practice Supervisor Development Programme (PSDP) was a significant investment by the Department for Education and provided high-quality continuous professional development (CPD) for 4,500 social workers taking up their first role in which they were responsible for supporting and developing the practice of others.

The programme aimed to empower practitioners to build confidence, mobilise academic knowledge and practice expertise, and work in partnership with the sector. The programme also recognised the key role that employers and leaders play in enabling high-quality learning.

The course encompassed face-to-face ‘classroom’ sessions, small group practice development, as well as individual development sessions. A series of self and manager evaluations were carried out at intervals, prior to starting the course, at the end of the course and some months after to establish levels of skills, knowledge, and confidence and future CPD needs.

The PSDP was led by Research in Practice, Tavistock & Portman NHS Foundation Trust, Goldsmiths University and the University of Sussex.

Reflective supervision development programme for a West Midlands local authority

It is a testament to the success of the PSDP that several organisations have approached us to commission bespoke programmes to meet their needs.

A large organisation in the West Midlands commissioned Research in Practice to deliver the PSDP to embed whole systems change. Between 2020-2023 we delivered 10 programme cohorts aimed at professionals working with children and families. This included Practice Supervisors to the senior leadership team, as well as incorporating multi-agency colleagues.  

The course included learning workshops, group practice workshops, and individual development sessions, alongside some self-study elements.

Brilliant course, I felt able to be myself and be open to learning new things. The facilitators were very knowledgeable about the subject and the information was relevant. There were plenty of reflective opportunities.

The language used throughout the course and the musings of the facilitators were sensitive and mindful of diversity and the issues this raises including disability, race, gender.