Using Tele-supervision: a guide for participants

26th July 2017

Contents

1. Why?
2. How (technical advice)
3. Etiquette - good manners on telesupervisions

1. Why use tele-supervision systems?

  • This is for hosting web-based seminars/supervisions
  • It allows people to join a CONFERENCE CALL and simultaneously to watch a SCREEN SHARE from the Supervisor - who can demonstrate, show slides, take notes, etc
  • It is time efficient and cheap compared to face to face supervision

2. How to use it (technical advice)

Do not leave setting this up until the last minute
You will find it annoying and could interrupt other users if you haven't get things set up in good time. The early set-up is now easier than it used to be, but it can still be frustrating, so set aside time well BEFORE the webinar/supervison to get this sorted out!
We will email you a web address and PIN number, along with a phone number to call in
Get access to:
  • a computer (needs Adobe Flash and a reasonably good broadband Internet connection if you want to speak and watch via the computer - if you are on a networked system you may need o check this out with your IT staff.)
    • If you are speaking and watching via the computer, it is best to get a HEADSET (earphones and microphone) as this reduces the "feedback" that can affect the system.
    • Getting the sound and video to work on your computer should be easy, often is, but isn't always! This is worth trying out beforehand.
  • a phone: this is really a BACK-UP system, in case the computer link up doesn't work. NB landlines are FREE, but mobiles will attract a COST - you can use the phone to access the speech in the conference call if for any reason you can't get the sound to work via your computer (if you need to do this, you can still watch the "screenshare" from the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, and see the other members of the supervision group, via your computer, but the voices will be broadcast by phone instead.)
  • When the meeting is due to start
    • Call in by phone
    • Enter the PIN number as requested to join the conference call.
    • Log in to your computer and click on (or cut and paste) the supplied weblink to join the screensharing on your computer.

3. Etiquette! "Manners for conference calling"

Technical etiquette

  • Try to MUTE yourself on your phone/computer if you are not talking (on the phone, toggle #6 to mute, and then to un-mute yourself. The Computer interface has a button you can select to mute or un-mute yourself.)
  • Remember to UNMUTE yourself when you want to talk!
  • You will find a "HAND UP" button; use this to get the attention of the supervisor(s) rather than just starting to speak.
  • You can also ask questions via the "messaging" function - and you wil see these can be directed to ALL he group, or to a specific individual in the group.

"Manners" in tele-supervision

  • Some reflections on Working with your TEAM followed early sessions.
    • This is a tricky way of conducting conversation, with fewer cues to help speakers mentalize each other accurately.
    • A process that creates deliberate pauses, and which "signposts" the conversation as much as possible is likey to lead to fewer misunderstandings
  • We think that Thinking Together is a particularly helpful model for organising Team Meetings, where people are present as a group - note there is a lot of new video at Team Meetings to illustrate this (how it may go wrong, and how it may go right).
  • In the specific case of a TELE-meeting, however, we think that even Thinking Together may struggle to provide as much structure and containment as required - to allow people to mentalize without feeling overwhelmed.
  • Our suggestion on the Rituals and Disciplines for future tele-supervisions are that they should work more along the lines of the Passed-outwards Discussion:
    • The person consulting to the group opens by Marking the Task (preferably this may have been started via EMAIL before the supervision, with a BRIEF summary of the case, but this may not always be possible. What help are they asking for from this group supervision?
    • They briefly tell the lead supervisor the "bones" of the story (Stating the Case)
    • The lead supervisor then passes the story on (re-tells it - see Passed-outwards Discussion) to the secondary supervisor (or to the rest of the group) while the teller remains quiet and listens to this re-telling.
    • Then the two supervisors have some very preliminary discussion together, and open this discussion up to the whole group (except for the person consulting, who listens to these attempts to Mentalize the Moment for all the actors in the system.)
    • Finally the group invites the (until now silent) original teller of the case to join and to reflect on what they have heard, and on what actions may or may no be required (Return to Purpose)