Masterclass Topic 6: Ethics, Law & Professional Issues in Supervision
This workshop will focus on maintaining supervisor awareness and knowledge in these areas and will emphasise how these map onto the Code of Ethics of the profession. It will also look to develop understanding of the common reasons for ethical breaches, as well as consider their root causes based on research and reports from the regulator.
Workshop goals
Supervisors play an important role in protecting the public by ensuring that supervisees understand and maintain the highest possible ethical, professional and legal standards in their work. The good habits established through supervision should set psychologists on a good path throughout their career. However, despite this, Grenyer (2012) reported that approximately 1 in 5 psychologists will be subjected to an ethical complaint.
One of the key supervision guidelines outlined by the Psychology Board of Australia requires that supervisors have the “ability to address legal and ethical considerations by understanding ethical principles and regulatory requirements and how they are used to guide professional practice and supervision to protect the public, (have) knowledge of limits of competence and how they should be managed, (have) awareness of personal limitations and biases that may affect supervision practice, and (pay) attention to and support self-care.”
This workshop will focus on maintaining supervisor awareness and knowledge in these areas and will emphasise how these map onto the Code of Conduct of the profession. It will also look to develop understanding of the common reasons for ethical breaches, as well as consider their root causes based on research and reports from the regulator. The workshop will drill down into more complex areas of ethical, professional and legal considerations and will include a focus on contemporary issues specifically related to the supervision context.
One of the key supervision guidelines outlined by the Psychology Board of Australia requires that supervisors have the “ability to address legal and ethical considerations by understanding ethical principles and regulatory requirements and how they are used to guide professional practice and supervision to protect the public, (have) knowledge of limits of competence and how they should be managed, (have) awareness of personal limitations and biases that may affect supervision practice, and (pay) attention to and support self-care.”
This workshop will focus on maintaining supervisor awareness and knowledge in these areas and will emphasise how these map onto the Code of Conduct of the profession. It will also look to develop understanding of the common reasons for ethical breaches, as well as consider their root causes based on research and reports from the regulator. The workshop will drill down into more complex areas of ethical, professional and legal considerations and will include a focus on contemporary issues specifically related to the supervision context.
Learning objectives
- Explore the Psychology Board of Australia Guidelines on Supervision and Code of Conduct.
- Identify and apply knowledge of the key competencies for supervision as per the Psychology Board of Australia’s Guidelines for Supervisors.
- Understand contemporary issues that fall under each of the major guideline areas.
- Understand the broader implications for each of the supervision guidelines within the supervision context - how these impact both the supervisor and the supervisee.
- Utilise research and contemporary examples of regulatory findings to update awareness and approaches to supervision and supervisory relationships.
- Apply knowledge of the supervision guidelines to complex and contemporary situations to enhance the outcomes of deliberative practice in supervisory contexts.
- Consider the ethical implications and risks that may arise for supervisees and within he supervision context with greater attunement and awareness.
- Reinforce their understanding of the role as supervisor in the management, support and guidance of supervisees.
Teaching method
The workshop will use a range of teaching methods including Didactic presentation, Role Play, Experiential processes, Group work and Reflective Practice.
Evaluation
Assessment will be in the form of a knowledge assessment.
Dr Aaron Frost
Aaron is a Clinical Psychologist with over 25 years of experience. He joined the STAP team in 2011, and has primarily been involved with the facilitation of workshops. Aaron has proved to be a very competent presenter, receiving consistently excellent ratings from participants. Aaron has been running workshops for the last 15 years, and has also completed a number of “train the trainer” workshops, e.g. with Scott Miller as part of the International Centre for Clinical Excellence (ICCE) and is a certified trainer with ICCE.
Based on his experience, knowledge and skills developed over years of training, he has been invaluable in assisting with the updating and revitalising of the current STAP materials, which has resulted in somewhat improved feedback from participants.
Aaron has trained over 1000 psychologists as part of their supervisor accreditation process.
Based on his experience, knowledge and skills developed over years of training, he has been invaluable in assisting with the updating and revitalising of the current STAP materials, which has resulted in somewhat improved feedback from participants.
Aaron has trained over 1000 psychologists as part of their supervisor accreditation process.
Patrick Jones - Course author
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