Ethical-Legal Issues in Supervision Jacob, Decker, & Hartshorne Chapter 11 Ethical-Legal Issues in Supervision Jacob, Decker, & Hartshorne

Supervision The purpose of supervision is sharing knowledge, assessing professional competence, and providing objective feedback the with the terminal goals of developing new competencies, facilitating effective delivery of psychological services, and maintaining professional competencies (Harvey & Struzziero, 2000). In supervision, the supervisor has ultimate responsibility for client welfare.

Professional Disclosure Statement is a means of ensuring a mutual understanding between the supervisor and supervisee with regard to rights and responsibilities of all parties, and helps to ensure the supervisee is able to make an informed choice about entering the supervisor-supervisee relationship.

Components of the Professional Disclosure Statement description of the supervision site, clientele, and types of services typically provided; credentials of the supervisor; general goals of supervision and how specific objectives will be selected; time frame, frequency and length of supervision contacts, and type of supervision provided (i.e., individual vs. group supervision); rights and responsibilities of supervisor and supervisee; potential risks and benefits of supervision; parameters of confidentiality; record-keeping; and methods of evaluation.

Individualized Learning Plan Developed cooperatively by supervisee and supervisor. Supervisee outlines his or her learning objectives, activities for achievement of those objectives, and how progress towards mastery of objectives will be evaluated.

Respect for the Dignity of Persons (Welfare of the Client and the Supervisee) Welfare of Client is of Primary Importance Need Clear Understanding of Parameters of Confidentiality Let Parents Choose Whether to Accept Services from Beginning Practitioner

Responsible Caring Supervisors should provide supervision only in areas in which they are competent. Supervisors must carefully evaluate skill level of supervisee. Dilemma is assigning challenging tasks so supervisee can learn, but still safeguarding the client’s right to competent services.

Supervisee Errors Technical errors occur when trainees are performing their role conscientiously, but their skills fall short of what the task requires. Judgmental errors occur when trainees are performing conscientiously, but select an incorrect strategy or treatment. Technical errors and errors in professional judgment are “inevitable and forgivable” (Bosk, 1979). Normative errors occur when the supervisee fails to discharge his or her role responsibilities conscientiously, or violates fundamental expectations for proper conduct. Normative errors are a breach of psychologist-client and supervisor-supervisee trust.

Integrity in Supervisor-Supervisee Relations Supervisors must avoid abuse of their power. Must avoid multiple relationships that diminish or threaten to diminish effectiveness as a supervisor. Supervisors must balance the role of growth facilitator and evaluator of supervisee.