Are you in a designated lived experience role and looking for a Peer Supervisor? I’d love to meet!

What is Peer Supervision?

Peer Supervision, defined as a ‘facilitated exchange between practicing professionals to foster the development of professional skills and provide a supported space for reflection (Faugier & Butterworth 1994)’, is an invaluable tool.

It allows individuals to reflect on their professional practice in a manner that promotes growth, development, and learning. Peer Supervision ensures that those in designated Lived Experience and/or Peer roles have the opportunity to engage in reflective practice, explore new ideas, discuss dilemmas, and receive support tailored to their unique needs.

One of the key differentiators of Peer Supervision is its separation from line management responsibilities. While line management focuses on tasks, workload allocation, and immediate problem-solving, Peer Supervision provides a formal structure for Peer Workers to delve into the intricacies of their practice, thus enhancing their effectiveness in Lived Experience roles.

Hayley as a Peer Supervisor

As a recent graduate of the Peer Supervision course with Consumers of Mental Health WA (CoMHWA), I come equipped with essential skills, training, and insights to provide Peer Supervision.

This comprehensive training not only certified me as a qualified Peer Supervisor but also honed my ability to offer reflective practice opportunities to peers working in designated Lived Experience roles.

During a Peer Supervision session with me, you can expect to co-produce the sessions according to your preferences, ensuring your needs are heard and your voice uplifted. I suggest dedicating our first session to getting to know each other and co-producing a supervision plan. In this plan, we'll identify our needs and expectations for Peer Supervision. This time allows both of us to assess whether this partnership feels right. If you, as the supervisee, feel I'm not the right fit, please feel encouraged to raise this, and we can decide together whether to proceed with further sessions (no hard feelings—it has to be the right fit for you!)

At the start of each session, I like to create space for a check-in to understand your expectations.

We'll then explore together any emerging issues, including considerations related to 'peer drift.' I'll ask questions aimed at helping you reflect on your practice and delve deeper into your lived expertise.

At the session's end, we may take some time to reflect on the session's value and discuss what worked well or what could be improved.

By choosing me as your Peer Supervisor, you're investing in a qualified and dedicated professional with a deep desire to learn and grow.