A Review of the Integrated Model

The integrated model is a clinical supervision model developed by Philip Rich (1993) after a review of the clinical supervision literature across the disciplines of social work, counselling, clinical psychology, psychotherapy, and human service management. It is a comprehensive model which address the functions, stages, and primary elements of supervision. If you wish to read more about this model read  The Clinical Supervisor Vol 11 (1) pp 137-178.

The Model

The model involves the following components:

Four Functions


The four functions of supervision in the model are:
 

The Facilitation function involves the developing and maintaining of a work culture that empowers social workers to be proactive, creative, personally responsible, and honourable in their communication and dealings with others. The aim of this function is to increase social workers effectiveness and competence. The facilitation function is prominent in the areas of Team Building, Role and Goal Clarification, Problem Solving, and Innovation.

In the Staff Development function the supervisor works to develop a learning culture in which growth and development in relation to knowledge and skills are encouraged and enabled.

The key areas in this function are professional skills development, professional knowledge enhancement, reinforcement of behavioural based learning and the development of self-awareness in relation to the supervisee's feelings, values, beliefs, strengths and learning needs.

The Staff Socialisation function involves inducting the supervisee into the desired organisational and professional values, ethics, standards and behaviours. The key areas in this function are:

· the reframing of past experience in terms of the new work context;

· the development of the supervisees commitment to professional and agency standards;

· the orientation and integration of the supervisee into the profession and agency;

· the mentoring and monitoring of supervisee attitudes and behaviour.

 The Service Delivery function aims to assure the quality of service delivery meets or exceeds agency and professional standards. This function involves the evaluation of service, the continuous improvement of services, professional modelling and direct involvement in service delivery by the supervisor, and the protection of clients.


 

Six Stages


The six stages in the process of clinical supervision in this model are:
 

The Relationship Building stage involves the development of a purposeful supervisor/supervisee relationship, which enables communication, trust and establishes shared understandings in regard to roles, responsibilities, and boundaries of supervision.

The Planning stage is the stage in which the preparation work is undertaken in relation clinical work and professional development. Usually during this stage expectations are clarified, goals are developed and set in relation to clinical work and professional development, and observation of work is discussed.

In the Observation stage the supervisor observes the supervisees practice. Areas of observation include interpersonal skills, clinical skills, case management skills, the client /social worker relationship, achievement of standards and use of models and theory.

The Analysis stage is where the supervisor analyses the areas of observation and prepares the feedback to be given during the supervisory meeting.

This meeting occurs in the Conference stage. The supervisory conference or meeting is the primary vehicle for on-going supervision and communication. Within this forum work questions are raised, problems are managed and feedback is given based on discussion and observation. It is also a forum in which best practice is modelled by the supervisor.

The final stage is that of Follow-up in this stage future supervisory activities are planned which commence a new cycle in this six-stage process of clinical supervision. This stage may involve the implementation of agreed actions, goal setting, the reinforcing of standards and planning in relation to future supervisory interventions.


 

Six Primary Elements

The six elements in the content of supervision are:
  The Facilitative environment proposed by this model involves the supervisee in the supervision process and encourages professional and self-development. This environment is one that is safe, nurturing, open, and interactive, which provides a solid foundation for the mutual respect, trust and understanding of the Supervisory relationship envisaged by this model. The Structural element provides the corner stones upon which the supervision is build and involves goal setting, clarification of roles and expectations, consistency in supervisory behaviour, appropriate feedback and constructive critique and debate between the supervisor and supervisee, and finally a casework or client work focus. The supervisory skills are the tool set and include technical, professional , interpersonal, analytical, explanatory and interpretive skills. The Provision of Learning experiences is like the provision of the materials and it involves the use of adult learning theory, tutorial, modelling, guidance, experimentation and shared experience by the supervisor.

The final element of Supervisory roles involves the differing kinds of role a supervisor undertakes during the supervisory process. These roles include that of counsellor, teacher, consultant , colleague, mentor and evaluator.

INTEGRATED MODEL: A SUMMARY.

 
Four Functions Six Stages Six Elements
Facilitation
Staff development
Staff socialisation
Service delivery		 Relationship building
Planning
Observation
Analysis
Conference
Follow up		 Facilitative environment
Supervisory relationship
Structural elements
Supervisory skills
Provision of learning experiences
Supervisory roles


As stated at the beginning of this review this is a comprehensive approach to supervision.
The combination of functions, stages and elements provide a foundational model for supervisors to use in their practice. I highly recommend this model.
 
Kieran



 
 

Reference and Highly Recommended Reading


Rich, P. (1993) The Form, Function, and Content of Clinical Supervision: An Integrated Model, in The Clinical Supervisor, New York, Vol 11 (1), Haworth Press Inc, 137-178.


Kieran subscibes to the The Clinical Supervisor Journal and highly recommends it to supervisors who wish to keep their knowledge, skills and practice at the cutting edge.

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Last updated 2 January 2001

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