Transcript Title of Presentation - The ACQUIRE Project : EngenderHealth

A New Approach to
Supervision
MODULE 3
Facilitative Supervision for
Quality Improvement Curriculum
2008
Facilitative Supervision (FS)

FS is a system of management whereby
supervisors at all levels in an institution focus
on the needs of the staff they oversee.

The most important role of the facilitative
supervisor is to help staff improve their
performance to enable them to:
– Manage the quality improvement (QI) and
performance improvement (PI) process
– Meet the needs of clients
– Implement institutional goals
Facilitative Supervision (2)
 Focuses on helping staff to identify and solve
problems through the use of QI, PI, and other
tools.
 Focuses on process and systems rather than on
individuals.
 Assists staff in meeting goals they set.
 Is continuous, building on past gains while
setting higher QI goals.
Characteristics of Facilitative
Supervisors
Consider staff as internal customers.
 Promote joint problem solving and teamwork.
 Ensure that decision making is participatory.
 Empower providers to monitor and improve their own
performance.
 Encourage two-way communication.
 Accumulate and use technical knowledge.
 Promote mentoring, coaching, and provision of
constructive feedback.
 Delegate problem solving related to day-to-day
problems.

Facilitative Supervisors Lead the
Performance Improvement Process by:

Addressing staff needs
– Facilitative supervision and management
– Information, training, and development
– Supplies, equipment and infrastructure

Enabling staff to continuously improve their
performance and the quality of services and to meet
clients’ needs

Serving as a liaison between site staff and
institution/headquarters/other organizations and
sectors.
How Do Supervisors Benefit
from the Facilitative Approach?

You will be more welcome by staff because you
will help staff to solve their problems, rather
than criticize them for their faults.

You will have the satisfaction of working as a
team member, watching staff learn and grow,
and watching quality improve.

Your job will become more fulfilling as your
staff’s motivation and commitment increase.
How Do Supervisors Benefit
from the Facilitative Approach? (2)

When you involve staff in the QI/PI process, you need to
solve fewer routine, simple problems yourself.

As other supervisors under your authority learn to
supervise in a facilitative manner, you will need to
provide them with less technical assistance.

You will gain a reputation as a leader,
as an effective supervisor, and as an
enabler.