London Deanery’s Supervision skills initiative began in the summer of 2007 and has gone from strength to strength during the past 2 years. It offers a unique programme of training in the conversational skills needed for effective supervision.  The initiative comprises five interlinking tiers of activity and as the project has developed the number of senior educators delivering the programme of activities has been increased to meet the demand.  More than a thousand clinical teachers in London have now participated in the programme at some level.

The skills taught are useful in both clinical and educational supervision, as well as in mentoring, appraisal, and enhancing consultation skills.  The Supervision skills courses available are suitable for doctors in primary and secondary care, dental trainers, other clinicians who have training responsibilities and also medical education managers and senior practice managers.  We teach an approach called 'conversations inviting change'.  This involves asking supervisees carefully chosen questions in order to challenge them to think for themselves and come up with their own options and solutions, rather than just giving them information and advice. 

The 5 tiers of the Supervision skills initiative are described below - further details about all of them can be found on the ‘Supervision skills for clinical teachers’ section of the Faculty Development Website.

Tier 1: Supervision skills workshops for clinical teachers (one-day programme)
- delivered both centrally and at Trust locations. 

Tier 2: Supervision skills for clinical teachers courses (three-day programme)
- available to clinical teachers interested in an introduction to the fundamentals of supervision skills.

Tier 3: Systemic supervision workshop (D15C)
- this provides a bridge between Tiers 1-2 and the advanced course in Tier 4. 

Tier 4: Professional certificate in supervision skills for clinical teachers (D15D)
- a formal 1-year qualification for clinical teachers wanting to take their supervision facilitation skills further. 

Tier 5: Monthly support sessions for graduates of the professional supervision certificate (D15E)
- a new monthly workshop for those delegates who have completed D15D but will require ongoing supervision and support for their educational work in this field.