Think about these questions that have come out of Peer Supervision within the VA as a compass for the quality of supervision you are offering your Peer Specialists in the field.
How would your Peer Specialists respond to these statements?....
•My supervisor understands my role as a peer support service provider?
•My supervisor understands my role as my supervisor?
•My supervisor does a good job of supervising me?
•I am able to meet/consult with my supervisor as often as needed?
•My supervisor advocates for me when needed?
•I trust my supervisor?
•I believe my supervisor has trust in me?
•I observe appropriate boundaries with my co-workers?
•I behave ethically in the workplace?
•I am treated the same way as any other team member?
•I believe that my supervisor received needed information and training before beginning his role?
•It is important for my supervisor to monitor my mental health as well as my work performance?
•I wish my supervisor would do more of the following:
–Advocate along with me
–Offer a wider variety of tasks
–Respect my abilities
–Observe more in the field
–Provide us with more training
–Have more time to talk
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I think it is healthy for Peer Support Supervisors to have a "healthy look" and be willing to ask their staff as peers to offer feedback. The quality of supervision would increase. The levels of communication, trust, respect and loyalty of one's team would increase as well.
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From "A 2010 Report on Peer Support Supervision in VA Mental Health Services and the (DBSA)"
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