Proctor's model identifies three functions of supervision: normative (quality assurance), formative (skill development), and restorative (emotional support). The restorative function is often the most neglected — and the most needed.
What Is Restorative Supervision?
Restorative supervision focuses on the emotional impact of clinical work. It provides space for clinicians to process difficult experiences, receive support, and replenish their capacity for empathic engagement.
Why It Matters
Without restorative support, clinicians accumulate emotional strain that leads to burnout, compassion fatigue, and disengagement. The restorative function of supervision is a direct intervention against these occupational hazards.
Creating Restorative Space
- Explicitly name the restorative purpose of supervision
- Ask about emotional impact, not just clinical decisions
- Normalise vulnerability and emotional responses
- Balance restorative work with formative and normative functions
Conclusion
Restorative supervision is not therapy for clinicians — it is professional support that acknowledges the emotional reality of clinical work. Prioritising this function sustains the workforce that sustains our communities.
