Supervision

Last updated: 27/05/2024

Ako wairua

This phase of the supervision session acknowledges that realisations and transformations will occur.

A learning journey – epiphany or ‘aha’ moments

This phase is characteristic of an epiphany, an 'aha' moment, when a light turns on – a learning occurs that is relevant to the journey and course of action.

This phase draws on ako, which infers learning, and wairua, which emphasises our values and beliefs. Within ako wairua, there is acknowledgement that realisations and transformations will occur.

Ako wairua involves recognising that a paradigm shift has occurred for you. There are levels of ako wairua.

It is really important that there is some level of acknowledgement when an ako wairua moment has occurred for the kaitiaki.

Prompts: skills, knowledge and behaviours

I understand the shared responsibility for slowing down and pausing.
I do not assume the kaiārahi will 'know' or have the answers.
I am comfortable with being guided through a process where I may experience learning and development.
I appreciate that ako wairua moments may not happen in the supervision session itself, but afterwards. When this happens, I maximise these opportunities by capturing reflections in a journal and may share these at the next session.

Supervision prompts

In what ways would my kaiārahi notice that I was having an ako wairua moment? That is, do my eyes shine, do I lean in, do I look up?
How will I maximise my learnings outside of the supervision session? That is, do I keep a supervision journal or something else?
Do I have ako wairua moments inside and outside of supervision sessions?

I intentionally create the space where supervision becomes a learning environment for the kaitiaki, and myself, where we may both experience ako wairua.
Engaging with āta supports me to pause and allow the space for an ako wairua moment to occur for the kaitiaki.
I am prepared for and open to the expression of energy and emotion – both positive and negative – and am comfortable in working with this to steer a way forward.
I can engage in deep listening skills, to see and sense when something is being grappled with, to pick this up and take the time to let it be explored.
I can acknowledge when an ako wairua moment has occurred, whether this is verbally or physically, as appropriate.

Supervision prompts

What skills or techniques do I employ to support the kaitiaki to have an ako wairua experience?
In what ways would I notice that the kaitiaki was having an ako wairua moment? For example, do their eyes shine, do they lean in, do they look up?
Am I comfortable with the kaitiaki not having an ako wairua moment in the session? How do I understand my role around this?
How do I encourage the kaitiaki to maximise their learnings outside of the supervision session? That is, do I encourage them to keep a supervision journal or something else?
How do I acknowledge my own learnings from the session? That is, do I invest time in preparing and reflecting after the session on both content and process?

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A learning journey – epiphany or ‘aha’ moments

Prompts: skills, knowledge and behaviours

Kaitiaki (supervisee)

Supervision prompts

Kaiārahi (supervisor)

Supervision prompts

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