Sue Hill RN, DN, BN(Hon), Queens Nurse, Professional Nurse Advocate, RBCS Project Manager and Facilitator
Clinical supervision was introduced into nursing practice in the 1990s often with very mixed responses from those undergoing it. There was frequently much confusion amongst practitioners about the differences between clinical and management supervision, and supervision and therapy.
Over the years there was a common belief that supervision could be a good thing, for some it was an extremely positive occurrence but for others there remained uncertainty of what clinical supervision was and what was expected of them.
However without effective clinical supervision staff may not recognise the emotional effect or the emotional distress the work they do may have on them. It is discussed by Stacey and Cook (2019) who recognised that if a person is intolerant of their own distress, they may not be able to tolerate the distress of others and this is particularly relevant for social care staff.
Clinical supervision involves a supportive relationship between peers and supervisor and facilitates reflective learning, Smith et al (2022). The introduction of regular RBCS sessions into social care settings will support staff and enable the development of resilience and wellbeing.
RBCS prepares the programme participants to consider the emotional regulatory systems, which are the drive, threat and affiliative system in order to become more compassionate to themselves and others, Gilbert (2009).
The Foundation of Nursing Studies has been commissioned by Deborah Sturdy (Chief Nurse for Social Care) to deliver a programme of RBCS to registered social care nurses and registered nursing associates. It is a fully funded programme over 13 hours and provides 5 sessions of interactive learning over a ten week period.
At the end of the programme participants will understand the principles and under pinning theory of RBCS and how to deliver it to their colleagues.
Early feedback from participants say: –
“I would definitely recommend the programme as it not only supported me to develop the skills to facilitate RBCS but has helped me to consider my own wellbeing before first in order to impact others.”
“Do it in the best interest of your home’s residents. An open and reflective discussion will empower your team to work in an open and honest way, meaning the residents are looked after by a team of individuals who ooze mutual respect and understanding.”
For further information contact: RBCS.Socialcare@fons.org
References
Gilbert, P. (2009) Introducing compassion-focused therapy. Advances in psychiatric treatment (2009), vol. 15, 199–208 doi: 10.1192/apt.bp.107.
Smith, Cathryn; Bennett, Clare; Morgan, Kate; Carrier, Judith3; Klugarová, Jitka; Klugar, Miloslav, (2022) Enhancing the clinical supervision experience of staff members working within primary and community care: a best practice implementation project. JBI Evidence Implementation 20(S1):p S23-S31, August 2022.
Stacey, G. and Cook, G. (2019) A scoping review exploring how the conceptualisation of resilience in nursing influences interventions aimed at increasing resilience. International Practice Development Journal 9 (1) [9] fons.org/library/journal.aspx