Clinical Supervision Policy

Effective Date: 13th October 2024
Author: Dr Tiffany Leung — Chartered Counselling Psychologist (HCPC Registered, BPS Chartered)

1. Purpose and Scope

This policy outlines how clinical supervision is provided by Dr Tiffany Leung, Chartered Counselling Psychologist (HCPC Registered, BPS Chartered), for trainee and qualified practitioners in psychology, counselling, and psychotherapy.

It clarifies the professional framework, ethical principles, and mutual responsibilities within supervision. It applies to individual and group supervision conducted online or in person.

Supervision is offered in accordance with:

HCPC Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics (2023)
BPS Code of Ethics and Conduct (2018)
BPS Standards for the Supervision of Applied Psychologists (2018)
BPS Good Practice Guidelines for Clinical Supervision (2014)

2. Philosophy of Supervision

Supervision with Dr Leung is grounded in the belief that reflective space is central to ethical and effective practice.
It is not only a professional safeguard but also a relational process of growth, integration, and ethical accountability.

Dr Leung’s approach integrates:

Developmental models — including Stoltenberg & McNeill’s Integrated Developmental Model (IDM) and Rønnestad & Skovholt’s life-span model of therapist development, recognising that competence evolves through stages of experience and self-awareness.
Humanistic and relational supervision — fostering trust, curiosity, and emotional depth within a collaborative alliance.
Cultural humility and intersectionality — acknowledging how identity, language, and context shape both therapy and supervision.
Parallel process awareness — using the supervisory relationship as a mirror for therapeutic dynamics and team systems.
Reflective and dialogical learning — encouraging awareness of emotion, ethics, and personal meaning in professional work.
Systemic–relational insight guided by the Seven-Eye Model of Supervision (Hawkins & Shohet) — attending to multiple layers of experience: the client, the therapist’s interventions, the client–therapist relationship, the supervisee’s internal process, the supervisor–supervisee relationship, the supervisor’s process, and the wider organisational or cultural context.

Supervision is a shared reflective inquiry that integrates evidence, ethics, and humanity — supporting both professional excellence and personal authenticity

3. Scope of Practice

Supervision is available for:

Trainee and qualified psychologists, psychotherapists, and counsellors
Assistant psychologists and wellbeing practitioners
Professionals seeking supervision or consultation in cross-cultural, trauma-informed, or reflective practice

Sessions are typically 60 minutes, delivered online via secure telehealth platforms (see Online Therapy & Communication Policy).
Group supervision may be arranged by agreement.

4. Clinical Supervision Agreement

Before commencing formal supervision, both parties sign a Clinical Supervision Agreement, which outlines:

Frequency and duration of supervision
Fees and payment terms
Confidentiality limits and data protection measures
Record-keeping procedures
Roles, boundaries, and dual relationships
Procedures for review, feedback, and complaints

This agreement forms the formal foundation of the supervisory relationship and ensures mutual understanding, transparency, and accountability.

5. Confidentiality and Record Keeping

Confidentiality in supervision mirrors that of therapy, with specific exceptions:

Risk of harm to self or others
Legal obligations (e.g. court order, safeguarding duty)
Serious professional misconduct or fitness-to-practise concerns

Supervision notes are:

Brief, factual, and anonymised (no identifying client information)
Stored securely in compliance with UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018
Retained for 7 years after the end of supervision
Accessible to supervisees upon written request

6. Safeguarding and Duty of Care

Dr Leung has dual responsibilities:

To the supervisee, ensuring a safe, reflective space that supports their professional wellbeing
To the public, ensuring ethical and competent practice in line with HCPC/BPS standards

Where concerns arise regarding a supervisee’s professional conduct, competence, or client safety, Dr Leung will:

Discuss the concern with the supervisee directly and sensitively;
Seek consultation in her own supervision;
Where necessary, inform the relevant training provider, employer, or professional body — in line with ethical duty of care.

7. Cross-Border and Legal Considerations

Online supervision is conducted with the same ethical, clinical, and professional standards as in-person work.

Dr Leung ensures:

Secure, encrypted video platforms (Zoom)
Privacy of environment for both supervisor and supervisee
Adaptation to nonverbal and relational cues within online context
Flexibility across time zones for international practitioners

See: Online Therapy & Communication Policy for full details.

8. Line Management vs. Clinical Supervision

Clinical supervision focuses on reflective practice, ethical thinking, and professional development.
It is distinct from line management, which involves performance appraisal, target-setting, or HR oversight.

When a supervisee’s context involves dual accountability (e.g. NHS or charity roles), the distinction between supervisory and managerial roles is clarified at the outset to maintain transparency and trust.

9. Dual Relationships

Dr Leung maintains clear boundaries where dual roles exist (e.g., if a supervisee is also a former client, colleague, or collaborator).

In such cases, Dr Leung will:

Conduct a risk-benefit assessment
Discuss boundaries openly with the supervisee
Consult supervision or ethics guidance if potential conflicts arise
Decline or refer where impartiality could be compromised

This ensures ethical integrity and protects both parties’ professional standing.

10. Cultural and Intersectional Supervision

Dr Leung’s supervision philosophy is explicitly culturally responsive.
She supports supervisees to explore:

The impact of identity, migration, and culture on clinical work
Systemic influences, privilege, and marginalisation
Language, emotion, and meaning across cultural contexts
Cultural countertransference and power dynamics in therapeutic relationships

Supervision becomes a space for deep reflection on how culture lives in the room — both for therapist and client.

11. Entitlement and Frequency

Supervision frequency is discussed individually, but recommended minimums are:

Trainees: 1 hour per 8 client hours (or as required by course)
Qualified practitioners: Minimum 1 hour monthly

Supervision hours are protected time. Both parties share responsibility for maintaining regularity and reviewing effectiveness

12 . Assistants and Early-Career Practitioners

When supervising Assistant Psychologists or early-career practitioners:

Supervision emphasises development of ethical awareness, role clarity, and competence boundaries.
Dr Leung supports integration of learning and reflection on emotional impact of work.
Responsibility for clinical decisions ultimately rests with the registered practitioner overseeing the assistant’s service role.

13. Difficulties and Complaints

Supervision should feel safe, open, and collaborative.
If difficulties arise:

Discuss them within supervision in the first instance.
If unresolved, either party may consult external supervision or mediation.
Formal complaints can be submitted following the Complaints & Feedback Policy.

Where ethical or regulatory breaches occur, Dr Leung is obliged to report to HCPC or BPS in accordance with professional standards.

14. Review and Endings

Supervision is reviewed regularly to assess effectiveness, goals, and supervisee needs.
When supervision concludes:

A closing session is encouraged to consolidate learning and plan next steps.
Certificates of supervision hours can be issued upon request.

Endings are treated as part of professional development and relational reflection.

15. Policy Governance

This policy is reviewed annually, or sooner if professional standards or legislation change.
Updates are published on Dr Leung’s website and shared with all current supervisees.