The Seven-Eyed Model of Supervision

The Seven-Eyed Model offers seven complementary perspectives through which supervision can take place.

Each “eye” brings a different focus:

Overview of the Seven Eyes:

1. The Focus on the Client(s) and their Context
   Understanding clients’ needs, goals, culture, emotional states, and the systemic influences affecting them (e.g., family systems, social norms, legal frameworks).

2. The Mediator’s Interventions
   Exploring the mediator’s strategies, techniques, and communication methods, and their alignment with ethical and professional standards.

3. The Mediator-Client Relationship
   Reflecting on the quality of the working relationship — trust, rapport, boundaries, and possible biases that influence interactions.

4. The Mediator’s Self-Awareness
   Considering the mediator’s internal responses: emotions, values, biases, triggers, and professional development needs.

5. The Supervisory Relationship
   Examining the dynamic between supervisor and mediator — including trust, power balance, feedback style, and the learning environment.

6. The Supervisor’s Self-Awareness
   Encouraging the supervisor to reflect on their own biases, emotions, assumptions, and ethical stance in shaping supervision.
7. The Wider Context
   Attending to external influences such as organisational culture, legal obligations, policy environments, and socio-political factors shaping both mediation and supervision.