"Supervision is a regular protected time for facilitated, in-depth reflection on practice. It aims to enable the supervisee to achieve, sustain and creatively develop a high standard of practice through the means of focused support and development" Bond & Holland (1998;12).

All Supervisors must be accredited supervisors with ICP, or equivalent, and have experience of working with children.

All Supervisors must regularly attend supervision of their supervision practice.

A supervision contract (example in Appendix 1) should be established to provide clear supervision boundaries.

A Supervisor's Report Form (Appendix 2) should be included with the accreditation application form when a member applies for accreditation or reaccreditation with ACAP.

Arrange Appropriate Supervision: which involves finding an appropriately qualified and experienced supervisor; forming an explicit agreement about the parameters of the supervision (including frequency, respective roles, goals, confidentiality, (where appropriate) costs and accountability); being open about one's competence and needs from supervision; acknowledging that the purpose of supervision is to enhance the quality of psychotherapy that patient/clients receive; ensuring that the supervision conforms to all national, professional and agency guidelines; etc.

1.2 Engage in Supervision: which involves - engaging in supervision systematically and at an appropriate level and frequency for the nature of the clinical work; demonstrating an ability to utilise the supervision effectively; reviewing the effect of one's own education, beliefs, attitudes and behaviour on one's clinical work and patient/client relationships; being reasonably open and transparent about the type and nature of one's clinical work to supervisor, peers and colleagues; presenting an open and honest account of clinical work; focusing on the most important and relevant material; engaging actively in frank discussions about clinical work; not becoming avoidant, aggressive or defensive; working collaboratively with supervisors (and/or peers); reflecting on the feedback and utilising insights and suggestions in the therapeutic process; actively learning from the supervision, using suggestions and any recommended reading; extending one's professional learning and development; etc.

1.3 Adapt the Supervision: which involves-increasing (or reducing) supervision in relation to changes in workload; reflecting on the quality of the supervision and whether it is sufficient for one's personal and professional needs; getting additional specialised supervision when dealing with particularly complicated or unfamiliar clinical work, or if there are additional risks (to patients/clients or to oneself); getting additional supervision in the event of any personal difficulties, conflicts with patients/clients, dual relationships, complaints, etc.; changing one's supervisor/supervision arrangements if necessary or when appropriate, after suitable reflection and discussion; taking responsibility that one's professional supervision is at the highest possible standard readily available; etc.

1.4 Engage in Practice Audit: which involves - (where appropriate) identifying suitable criteria and evaluation tools; routinely (at least annually) take part in systematic monitoring, patient/client outcomes, annual reviews (of number of sessions per patient/client), percentage of satisfaction questionnaires and follow-up studies; etc.

2.1 Practitioners in training, (this covers Phases 1 and 2), need to complete a minimum of 150 hours accredited supervision and maintain a ratio of one supervision hour for every four hours of Child Art Psychotherapy during Phase 1 of training, (years 1-4: MScand Post Masters), and one supervision hour for every eight hours of Child Art Psychotherapy during Phase 2, (post-practicum period, minimum of 1 year to maximum of 5 years following Post Masters).

2.2 It is best practice to change supervisor when training is complete.

2.3 It is recommended that following completion of the post-practicum period, (Phase 2), practitioners should attend supervision on a monthly basis, (at a minimum), while keeping the ratio of one hour of supervision for every twenty hours of Child Art Psychotherapy.

2.4 Individual supervision is recommended for Phase 1. During Phase 2 a combination of individual and group supervision is acceptable.

2.5 Following the post-practicum period supervision may include a combination of individual or group format. See additional notes below on group supervision.

3.1 Group supervision must be facilitated by an ICP (or equivalent) supervisor, who has experience of working with children. Group supervision generally operates with a maximum of four Supervisees to one Supervisor over a two hour period, with each supervisee allocated 30 minutes presentation time.

3.2 Practitioners attending group supervision must ensure a confidentiality agreement is signed in advance and generally operate a closed group format as much as possible.

Confidentiality within the limits of Child Protection Legislation must be respected within the supervisory relationship. The Supervisor must inform the supervisee prior to commencement of supervision what action they are obliged to take if any concerns occur in the Supervisee's practice.

Where the Supervisor has concerns about the practice of the Supervisee, confidentiality may be broken in order to protect the client and the Supervisee. It is the duty of the Supervisor to inform the Supervisee that they are obliged to make their concerns known to the Supervisee's line manager/employer, or in the case of private practice, make a report to an external regulatory body.

6.1 Supervisors are responsible for maintaining a record of supervision, whilst ensuring the confidentiality of the client within their notes. Supervisors are also responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of the therapist, unless serious concerns arise about their Supervisee. It is best practice for a record of supervision to be agreed, signed and dated. Records will be confidentially stored and only accessible to the Supervisor.

6.2 Under the Freedom of Information Act a Supervisee can request access to their supervision records and receive these within 10 working days. Supervision documents need to be held for 8 years post supervision practice. The Supervisee should be informed of such prior to commencement of supervision.

It is a requirement that the Supervisor has completed specific supervision training; which includes a minimum of 100 hours tutor contact hours, a core theoretic model, as well as exploration of other modalities, skills practice, both written and practical assessments and has provided supervision during training to supervisees external to the course itself.

The Supervisor must be an accredited member for over two years and be registered as a supervisor with either the same (ACAP) or equivalent psychotherapeutic organisation as the Supervisee. The Supervisor must be maintaining their own practice as a therapist.

Supervisors must have appropriate insurance to both practice therapy and provide supervision. It is expected that a Supervisor's Report (Appendix 2) be completed in order to assess the Supervisee's progress and suitability for Accreditation.

It is highly recommended that the Supervisor has specific experience working with children and preferably using creative and integrative methods.

Irish Council of Psychotherapy Supervision Guidelines

Irish Association of Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy Supervision Guidelines

British Association of Child Art Therapist's Guidelines on Supervision 2002