Speak Out April 2017

SPOTLIGHT ON PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT

ALL SPEECH PATHOLOGISTS require professional support throughout their career. When we use the term professional support we are talking about 1:1 or small group interactions which provide opportunities for reflective practice, problem solving, sharing ideas, information and resources, and celebrating successes. Supervision, mentoring, and peer support, may all have the above features in common, however Supervision, mentoring, peer support What’s the difference?

the below table highlights some key differences between these different types of professional support. If you have any questions regarding professional support options please contact Meredith Prain, Professional Support Advisor, psa@speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

Supervision

Mentoring

Peer support

Aims to ensure supervisee has competence to do their work role/ ensure clinical accountability

Aims to provide broad professional support

Aims to provide broad professional support

SPA recommends weekly for early career speech pathologists

SPA recommends monthly

SPA recommends monthly

Supervisor is paid either internally as part of their work duties or externally

Mentoring is voluntary

Peer support is voluntary

Years of experience of peers usually similar, but not necessarily. Years of experience is not relevant Earns 1 PSR point per hour. No requirement to register peer support relationships with SPA

Supervisor has more clinical experience than supervisee

Mentor has more professional experience than mentee

Earns 1 PSR point per hour. SPA requests that all mentoring partnerships be registered with SPA by emailing psa@ speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

Earns 1 PSR point per hour. No requirement to register supervisory relationships with SPA

23

April 2017 www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

Speak Out