Individual or Group Supervision

Both methods offer benefits and potential drawbacks.

Individual supervision provides an opportunity for the coach to experience one on one attention, to build trust and rapport quickly with their supervisor and to have the supervision process tailored to their particular needs. There may also be flexibility in meeting times and access to immediate support if required. The cost of supervision is borne by the individual and is therefore, more expensive than group supervision.

Group supervision offers coaches a broader group who will bring diverse views, experiences and reflections to the supervision process. Group supervision can offer rich learning for all, even when one person’s issues are being attended to. Group supervision can also provide a sense of collegiality and will sometimes mirror the organisational issues that may be in play in a coach’s scenario. The cost of supervision is shared however, there is not the same flexibility around times/dates as there might be with individual supervision.

Confidentiality and openness can often come into play when group supervision of internal peers or group includes reporting hierarchy. Often these types of internal regular group supervision sessions can be supported by opportunities of 1:1 supervision where needed.