Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Supervision (EMHP Supervisor Course)
As part of the Mental Health Support Team (MHST) and Education Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP) programme, the University of Sheffield has been commissioned to deliver EMHP supervisor training to facilitate effective and robust supervisory practice for this new workforce.
The title of this training programme is: Post Graduate Certificate in Clinical Supervision, often referred to as the EMHP Supervisor Course.
These specialist EMHP supervisor roles are in place to provide safe and effective practice for EMHPs, during both their training year and once qualified. The course is fully funded by Health Education England. It commenced in May 2020.
Course Information
| Duration | 12 months |
|---|---|
| Start Date | Mid to late February, annually |
| Compulsory Modules |
There are two compulsory modules: Module 1 – The Principles of Supervision Module 2 – Supervising EMHP Practice |
| Placement/ Workplace | All trainee supervisors will be employed by a MHST in their local area prior to beginning the course. They will be attending University one day per week (Thursdays) and working in their MHST the rest of the week. |
| Teaching |
Delivery of the programme will be provided through a combination of one taught day per week (Thurs), self-guided study and experience gained from working within a MHST. |
| Qualifications required | Undergraduate degree or equivalent in a relevant area. Please see entry requirements for further information. |
| How to apply |
Applications to this programme may only be made through MHST services recruiting trainees and not directly through the University of Sheffield. Posts are typically advertised by services on NHS jobs websites or equivalent. |
| Careers | All trainees on the course will already have careers, holding posts in MHSTs in England. |
| Contact | Enquiries can be directed to the EMHP course administrator: emhp@sheffield.ac.uk |
Overview of the course
Supervision is a critical part of the EMHP and Mental Health Support Team (MHST) programme. Alongside this, it is anticipated that the supervisors will support the provision of long-term leadership within local areas. Supervisors will receive comprehensive training, covering the specific requirements and skills involved in supervising EMHPs, including case management supervision, low intensity clinical skills supervision, and education specific interventions and support.
Course aims
The aims of the supervisor training course are to enable supervisors:
- To develop competency in supervising EHMP evidence-based interventions set out in the EHMP curriculum.
- To develop competencies as effective, self-reflective, and safe supervisors.
- To evidence a critical knowledge of the theoretical, research and implementation literature that underpins the supervision of trainees on the EHMP programme.
- To develop sustainable skills in supervising EHMPs in order to drive the ongoing development of these quality-driven, outcomes-informed services.
- To inform and promote self–reflective and self-critical learning as an underpinning of effective clinical supervision.
Course Structure
Trainee supervisors will attend training on Thursday each week. This is concurrent with four days per week of supervision practice at service sites.
Trainee supervisors will have scheduled group tutorial times during the academic year, which are designed around the academic assessment structure. Trainee supervisors and teaching staff can request one-to-one tutorials as they see fit.
Reading weeks are offered during the year to allow trainees additional study and preparation time for assessed work. Trainee supervisors are encouraged to speak to their services about having some study time during working hours. Trainee supervisors are expected to be able to dedicate time to self-directed study outside working hours.
Progression of modules and teaching
The Post Graduate Certificate in Clinical Supervision programme contains two modules as detailed below.
| Module | Module Title | Number of Credits | Credit Level | Assessments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Module 1 | The Principles of Supervision | 30 | 7 |
1. Principles of supervision essay (3000 words) 2. Supervision session recording and reflective commentary (1000 words) 3. Mid-year Supervision Portfolio |
| Module 2 | Supervising EMHP Practice | 30 | 7 |
4. Supervising the planning and/or implementation of a WSA/WCA project (presentation) 5. Final Supervision Portfolio |
| Supplementary | Competency Development Framework (Portfolio of Study and Teaching Engagement) |
Competency Development Framework (Portfolio of Study & Teaching Engagement)
As the EMHP role is very recently established, trainee supervisors are in a unique position on this course in that their backgrounds and experiences are not underpinned by the EMHP role specifically. Trainee supervisors all have essential skills and experiences to draw upon in their supervisory role, however the course team recognise that there may be gaps in relation to the core competencies required to complete this course. Therefore, an EMHP supervisor Competency Development Framework has been developed to support access to the course, as a tool through which the course team can identify gaps and subsequently equip trainee supervisors with the core competencies required to effectively supervise trainee EMHP practitioners. At the very start of the course, trainee supervisors will meet with a HEI tutor to create a personalised development plan that will enable the trainee supervisor to work on the core competencies alongside the supervisor training course.
Teaching
The course will be delivered in person via a mixture of live teaching, pre-recorded teaching, small group discussions/practice, role play, practical exercises, and supervision of supervision. Self-directed study outside working hours is also expected to take place. The two modules of the course are structured to follow the National EMHP Supervisor Curriculum.
Delivery entails 20 days of face-to-face teaching plus 8 sessions of group supervision of supervision. Meeting the requirements of the Competency Development Framework (Portfolio of Study & Teaching Engagement) will be in addition to these days.
Content will focus on both generic knowledge and competencies to support effective supervision in the MHSTs and then EMHP specific supervision knowledge and competencies. For example, supervision approaches of low intensity CBT interventions and whole school/college approaches. The use of available evidenced-based practice underpins all teaching and learning activities. The teaching is delivered by the University teaching team and invited speakers.
Trainee supervisors are taught by experts in CBT and supervision, who are widely experienced in helping trainees develop key knowledge and skills to deliver evidence-based, CBT-informed supervision, to enhance the clinical practice of EMHPs working with children and young people.
Course Expectations
The University provides an adult learning environment with the following expectations for the course:
Adult learners
As adult learners trainee supervisors are expected to carry out self-directed study in their own time. Trainee supervisors are encouraged to speak to their services about having study time within working hours where possible. This is an exciting yet intensive training programme so a commitment to regular study time and the ability to study at Postgraduate level is essential.
Active participation
Trainee supervisors are expected to actively participate in all learning opportunities. Engagement includes role-play and other experiential and practice exercises during teaching, and also includes regularly bringing recordings of supervisory practice to group supervision of supervision.
Self-reflection
Trainee supervisors should be willing to engage in self-reflection, and to undertake and learn about the role of self in supervision. It is to be expected that learning about such processes will have a personal impact.
Entry requirements
The PG Cert in Clinical Supervision is aimed at CBT informed practitioners who have attended a CBT training programme, and ideally have post qualification supervisory experience.
However, the course will provide the successful applicant with a comprehensive training package and, wherever possible, supervisors will be drawn from the services where EHMP practitioners are embedded.
Criteria for applicants coming on to the supervisor training include:
- Supervisors will need to be experienced mental health professionals/practitioners as evidenced by normally 2 or more years working therapeutically, clinically, or consultatively within a CYP Educational or Mental Health Setting, with children and young people with mental health difficulties.
- Ideally, they will also have experience of delivering and supervising mental health interventions in education settings.
- They will need to supervise two elements of EHMP practice: 1. low intensity cognitive behavioural interventions and 2. whole school/college approaches to mental health in education settings. Ideally, they will be able to demonstrate experience in both these areas, but realistically experience in one of these areas is acceptable as the programme has resources to make up competency gaps through the Competency Development Framework.
- In addition to the above clinical knowledge, experience and competencies, supervisors will be expected to have experience of delivering CBT informed practice and supervision, ideally at low intensity is desirable. A minimum of 2 years’ experience in a CYP mental health setting post-qualification is desirable, but experience of delivering CBT is essential.
- Please note entrants are not required to hold a formal CBT qualification, but they must be able to demonstrate previous experience in delivering CBT, preferably at low intensity.
- EMHPs must have at least 2 years post-qualification experience
- Where there are gaps in competence, trainee supervisors must be able to make this up in the Competency Development Framework. This is a supplement to the exiting curriculum and may involve joint attendance with EMHP trainees at curricular events or additional teaching opportunities.
- As this supervisor training programme is delivered as a PG Certificate, supervisors will need to demonstrate the ability to study at a Post-Graduate level.
Enquiries can be directed to the EMHP course administrator: emhp@sheffield.ac.uk