What is Professional Supervision?
Supervision is a process in which the supervisee can reflect on their practice and discuss workplace and/or professional issues in a safe, non-judgmental environment. A supervisor is responsible for challenging their supervisee’s practices and informing them of alternative theories and practices, as well as any industry-related developments.
Supervision is separate from counselling. Supervision is a professional service therefore is tax-deductible.
What are the supervision requirements?
ACCA members must complete a minimum of 10 hours’ supervision per year.
All practicing full members of the ACCA, including supervisors, must complete annual supervision to maintain their registration.
All members incur supervision responsibilities.
As supervision is a mandatory requirement of most professional organisations, completion of supervision is required to maintain membership with the ACCA.
Counsellors in private practice must arrange their own supervision.
In line with counselling and psychotherapy industry standards, ACCA recommends that the ratio of supervision hours per client contact hours should be one (1) hour of supervision for every 20 hours of client contact time. Counsellors in full time employment should receive supervision, either internally or externally, once a week, but not less than once a month.
Supervision must be delivered by an industry registered or recognised supervisor (ACCA, ACA or PACFA).
Workplace nominated Supervisor or Supervision
Some employers may nominate a workplace supervisor who does not meet the supervisor criteria. In such instances, the ACCA will accept supervision from workplace nominated supervisors whilst the Counsellor is employed within the agency. The ACCA recommends that members who find themselves in this situation seek supplementary external supervision from an industry recognised supervisor.
Any counselling work completed outside the agency will require supervision undertaken by an industry recognised supervisor.
ACCA Supervisor Criteria
A Supervisor must:
- Be registered with the ACCA or other peak body as a counsellor and/or supervisor;
- Be registered with another peak body at the following level:
- Membership with ACA at a minimum of level 2 membership or
- Clinical membership with PACFA.
- Have a minimum of 3 years post qualification counselling experience; and
- Have completed a minimum of 50 hours of post qualification Supervision and
- Have completed a nationally recognised Supervisor training course that meets ACCA standards and
- Undergoes regular supervision as a Supervisor.
What is a nationally recognised Supervision Training Course?
Supervisor Training Courses must develop the knowledge and skills of experienced counsellors and equip them with the specialist knowledge and skills necessary to be an effective supervisor.
A Supervisor Training Course will enable the learner as a minimum to:
Define the role of a clinical supervisor;
Identify the goals of supervision;
Discuss and apply theories and models of supervision;
Describe the supervisory relationship;
Demonstrate the skills required for conducting different supervision interventions;
Provide effective evaluation and feedback to supervisees;
Successfully undertake a variety of supervisor administration tasks and
Address ethical and legal considerations of supervision.
An approved Supervisor Training Course will cover as a minimum:
- An Introduction to Clinical Supervision
- An Overview of Clinical Supervision
- Models of Supervision
- The Supervisory Relationship
- Evaluation and Feedback
- Supervisor Administration Skills
- Ethical and Legal Considerations
- Applying Supervision Skills
- Advanced Skills in Clinical Supervision
- Types of Supervision
- Final Assessment
What should a Supervision session consist of?
The supervisor’s primary role is to ensure that the supervisee’s clients are receiving appropriate therapeutic counselling. By ensuring the counsellor continually develops their professional practice in all areas, the supervisor ensures a counsellor remains psychologically healthy. The supervisor is also responsible for detecting any symptoms of burn out, transference, hidden agendas etc. in the supervisee.
Is Supervision mandatory?
Yes, if you wish to be recognised as an ACCA registered counsellor and be placed on the ACCA Supervisor Register.
Where do I find a Supervisor?
The best place to find a Supervisor who meets ACCA criteria is on the ACCA web page.
Is there anyone a Supervisor should not supervise?
A supervisor should not supervise any person who they have had or are in an emotional or physical relationship currently or prior to a contract of supervision or any member of their immediate family
How often should supervision take place?
Supervision is a process that members are expected to undertake over a 12-month period. Members must demonstrate in their log books that supervision was undertaken regularly over their annual membership period. No more than 1 hour per week will be counted towards meeting membership obligations by ACCA. Blocks of greater than 2 hours will not be recognised This policy ensures ACCA members do not attend workshops or presentations under the belief they are able to accumulate bulk hours of supervision in one or two sittings. This would be contrary to the whole purpose of undergoing regular supervision. Group supervision must have no fewer than one Supervisor (who meets ACCA requirements) per ten supervisees.
Supervision hours earned while attending a formally recognised Supervisor qualification course are calculated independently with the training provider as part of the approval process and noted on the course material.