Scenarios

Below are some frequent scenarios that the BDA is asked.

I work in NHS and private practice, does my NHS supervision cover both?

Accessing supervision through your NHS role to support your development as a practitioner will obviously enhance your private practice too. Regardless of what setting you work in or who your employer is, the HCPC expects registrants to meet all of the standards at all times. If you are selected for CPD audit or subject to any fitness to practise investigations, you will need to be able to demonstrate that you are able to meet the standards, which will include accessing supervision. As such, private practitioners may need to consider accessing additional supervision specific to their private role to ensure this requirement is met.

What should I do if I need support with a patient in my private practice? 

The HCPC expects dietitians to always work within their scope of practice. This means that you should only consult with individuals where you have the relevant knowledge, skills and experience to carry out the activity safely and effectively¹. If you decide that a particular activity is outside your scope of practice, you should either refer the individual on appropriately or consider whether you can seek training, support and supervision to enhance your scope. Working in isolation removes the opportunity for practitioners to access informal supervision that can help manage complex cases and scenarios. As such, making connections through networks and the BDA specialist groups may allow this to be established.

I am working in a dietitian role that does not include assessing patients (examples include project / catering), do I still need to access supervision?  

Supervision is not just for those in clinical roles. The restorative and supportive functions of supervision will benefit all, and evidence shows this improves staff retention, confidence and wellbeing (see Why should I have supervision?). Supervision is also an essential part of CPD that is a requirement in meeting the HCPC standards.  

Within my role, I am exposed to some complex and difficult cases. How can I ensure my own wellbeing isn’t impacted by this.    

This is where partaking in restorative supervision on a regular basis will help as it aims to support the needs of practitioners working with clinically complex caseloads or in roles which are emotionally demanding. Restorative supervision provides a place to explore thoughts and feelings to ensure these scenarios do not impact on your wellbeing.   

I deliver psychological therapy as part of my dietetic role in eating disorders. Do I have additional supervision requirements?

Dietitians working in mental health / eating disorder settings may provide some psychological therapy within their dietetic work. Whenever a dietitian is using a psychological approach to their work (e.g. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), they should receive separate supervision for this element of their practice from a Clinical Psychologist. This may be covered within team or peer group supervision or provided on a 1:1 basis.