What if my placement is not living up to my expecations?
Learning Objectives
After considering this resource, you should understand one barrier to effective supervision and be able to consider methods to overcome this.
There is no doubt that the relationship with your supervisor on placement is a significant one in terms of how much you enjoy your time at the agency and how you learn and develop as a practitioner.
Sometimes, an experience with a supervisor may not meet your expectations for a number of reasons including different working styles or a personality clash. However you will still probably be expected to complete your placement and you may need to make changes to ensure this happens.
In the following case study, Alex talks about his experiences with his supervisor Stuart, who has little time to spend with Alex.
Reflective Questions
- How might the experience of Alex's friend Maria have influenced Alex's expectations of supervision?
- What expectations for your own placement do you, or did you have? If you are currently on placement, is it meeting your expectations?
- What ground rules about informal supervision could Stuart put in place so that Alex knows when it is a good time to approach him with a query?
- How a might the learning agreement agreed by Alex and Stuart at the beginning of the placement, now be of help to Alex?
- Who might help Alex to resolve this situation and how?