The experience of clinical supervision for nurses and healthcare assistants in a secure adolescent service: Affecting service improvement
Authors: McCarron R. H. , Eade J. , Delmage E. 
Published: December 2017

Accessible summary

What is known on the subject?

Regular and effective clinical supervision for mental health nurses and healthcare assistants (HCAs) is an important tool in helping to reduce stress and burnout, and in ensuring safe, effective and high‐quality mental health care.

Previous studies of clinical supervision within secure mental health environments have found both a low availability of clinical supervision, and a low level of staff acceptance of its value, particularly for HCAs.

What does this paper add to existing knowledge?

In previous studies, the understanding shown by HCAs and nurses around the benefits of clinical supervision may have been limited by the methods used. This study was specifically designed to help them best express their views.

In contrast to previous studies, both nurses and HCAs showed a good understanding of the function and value of clinical supervision.

Significant improvements in the experience of, and access to, clinical supervision for nurses and HCAs working in secure mental health services may be achieved by raising staff awareness, demonstrating organizational support and increasing monitoring of clinical supervision.

What are the implications for practice?

Organizations should consider reviewing their approach to supervision to include raising staff awareness, multidisciplinary supervision, group supervision, and recording and tracking of supervision rates.

Organizations should be mindful of the need to provide effective clinical supervision to HCAs as well as nurses.

Introduction

Studies have found a low availability and appreciation of clinical supervision, especially for healthcare assistants (HCAs). Qualitative research is needed to further understand this.

Aims

Increase understanding of nurses' and HCAs' experiences of, and access to, clinical supervision. Identify nurses' and HCAs' perceptions of the value and function of clinical supervision. Assess how interventions affect staff's experiences of clinical supervision.

Methods

In 2013, HCAs and nurses in a secure adolescent service were surveyed about clinical supervision. Forty‐nine HCAs and 20 nurses responded. In 2014, interventions to facilitate supervision were introduced. In 2016, the study was repeated. Forty HCAs and 30 nurses responded. Responses were analysed using a mixed methods approach.

Results

Significantly more HCAs found supervision to be a positive experience in 2016, and both nurses and HCAs reported significantly fewer challenges in accessing supervision. HCAs and nurses understood the value of clinical supervision.

Discussion

Significant improvements in the experience of clinical supervision were achieved following increased staff awareness, multidisciplinary and group supervision, and recording supervision rates. HCAs and nurses understood the consequences of inadequate supervision.

Implications for practice

Organizations could adopt the interventions to facilitate clinical supervision. Supervision should not be overlooked for HCAs.