Supervision for Forensic Practitioners: (Issues in Forensic Psychology)

Forensic practitioners work in a diverse range of settings, with a wide variety of groups and with a large number of agencies. Their work, whilst rewarding, is challenging, demanding and often undertaken in highly stressful situations. Ensuring that the workforce is trained and supported is essential in order to maintain skilful, knowledgeable, responsive and effective practitioners. Whilst training, self-directed learning and peer support all play a role, the need for supervision for practitioners is increasingly being recognised. This text is aimed at all those working in forensic settings who have direct contact with the perpetrators and victims of crime and is written for both those new to supervision and those with many years’ experience. Specific chapters focus on knowledge and skills for the supervisor and the supervisee and on those responsible for developing supervision systems for staff groups. This includes a focus on risk, boundaries, approaches to learning and the evidence base for supervision practice. Attention is also given to developing supervision competence and combatting harmful or ‘lousy’ supervision. The core text is supplemented by ten Special Topics addressing single issues commonly faced in supervision practice, such as ethical issues and reflective practice. The combination of comprehensive chapters and a focus on specific issues through ten Special Topics provides those involved in supervision with an essential resource. This book is essential reading for supervisors, students, managers and researchers who are involved or interested in the supervision process.

Table of Contents:
1. An introduction to practice supervision 2. The emerging evidence base for practice supervision 3. Supervision types, forms and tasks 4. Supervision models and frameworks 5. Approaches to learning in supervision 6. Being supervised 7. Core skills and knowledge for supervisors 8. Risk and boundaries in supervision 9. Developing supervision in forensic practice: structures, systems and audit 10. Supervisor and supervisee training and development Special topic 1. The impact of the setting on supervision Special topic 2. Ethical issues Special topic 3. Supervising group work Special topic 4. Supervising non-client work: research, leadership and management activity Special topic 5. Critiques of supervision and reflective practice Special topic 6. Overcoming problems in supervision Special topic 7. Creative approaches in supervision Special topic 8. Assessments and measures for use in supervision and research Special topic 9. Team supervision Special topic 10. Consultation and reflective practice 11. Conclusions: providing and researching supervision.

About the Author :
Jason Davies is a Consultant Forensic and Clinical Psychologist with Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board and Honorary Professor of Forensic Clinical Psychology with Cardiff Metropolitan University. He has worked as a practitioner in a range of forensic mental health settings and is co-editor of the book Research in Practice for Forensic Professionals (2011).

Review :
'Service provision within the forensic context is complex, forensic work and some clients can be demanding and harmful. Effective supervision has the capacity to enhance knowledge and skills and to positively impact practitioners' professional and personal integrity. Jason Davies' book is comprehensive and accessible. Written with a practical focus, this excellent text provides practical guidance and thoughtful consideration of important process issues. It is an invaluable and complete resource to guide supervisors, supervisees and those with the capacity to ensure effective supervision within forensic settings.' - Professor Michael Daffern, Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science, Swinburne University of Technology, Australia 'This book is extremely well composed and written, and a masterclass in all aspects of the supervision of forensic practitioners of all kinds. It contains exceptional wisdom and guidance on this essential supportive activity - and is a vital resource for those providing, receiving, planning, and researching supervision. Indeed, it is incomprehensible that such a comprehensive and invaluable text as this has not been written before now. Without doubt, this book will become a necessary guide to the support and nurturance of forensic practitioners and the services in which they work for years to come.' - Dr Caroline Logan, Lead Consultant Forensic Clinical Psychologist, Greater Manchester West Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust and Associate MSc Programme Director, University of Manchester, UK