Establishing clear protocols and documentation is essential for running a supervision practice that is professional, transparent, and ethically sound.

Well-designed documentation helps to:

• clarify expectations between supervisor and supervisee

• protect confidentiality and professional boundaries

• maintain clear records of supervision activities

• demonstrate professional accountability and reflective practice

Having clear documentation also helps build trust and ensures supervision is conducted in a consistent and professional manner.

Core Supervision Documents

Most supervision practices rely on a small number of core documents that support ethical and effective supervision.

Supervision Agreement

A supervision agreement outlines the structure and expectations of the supervision relationship.

This document typically includes:

• roles and responsibilities of the supervisor and supervisee

• session frequency and format

• confidentiality arrangements and limits

• record-keeping practices

• cancellation policies and fees

Example:
A supervision agreement may clarify that supervision discussions remain confidential except where disclosure is required due to legal or ethical obligations.

Informed Consent

An informed consent document ensures that supervisees understand how supervision will operate and how information will be managed.

This may include:

• the purpose of supervision

• how supervision records are stored

• privacy and confidentiality arrangements

• limits of confidentiality where safety concerns arise

Providing clear information helps supervisees make informed decisions about participating in supervision.

Supervision Log

A supervision log records key details about supervision sessions, such as:

• session dates

• duration of sessions

• broad themes or learning topics discussed

• professional development outcomes

These records may be useful for practitioners who need to demonstrate continuing professional development (CPD) or reflective practice.

Feedback and Evaluation

Many supervisors also invite feedback from supervisees to support continuous improvement.

Feedback may be collected through:

• short evaluation forms

• anonymous surveys

• informal review discussions

Regular feedback helps supervisors refine their approach and respond to the needs of practitioners.

Policies and Procedures

In addition to supervision documentation, supervisors should have clear policies that support ethical and professional practice.

Key areas may include:

Confidentiality and limits of disclosure
Clarifying what information remains confidential and when disclosure may be required, particularly where safety concerns arise.

Complaints and grievance processes
Providing a clear process for supervisees to raise concerns or complaints.

Cultural responsiveness
Ensuring supervision practices recognise cultural diversity and support respectful and inclusive professional practice.

Risk awareness
Supporting practitioners to recognise and respond appropriately to risks that may arise in dispute resolution work.

Practical Tip

When establishing a supervision practice, it is helpful to start with a small set of clear and well-designed documents rather than creating complex administrative systems.

Many supervisors begin with:

• a supervision agreement

• a supervision log

• a simple feedback form

These documents can then evolve as the supervision practice grows.