I’m a lay employee, should I be in supervision?
The supervision policy of the church has advocated for reflective supervision for lay employees for some time. It was amended following a ministries committee meeting in 2022 to ensure the following arrangements are in place:
Who must be supervised in addition to ordained ministers?
From September 2022
- All pioneer ministers (whether lay or ordained) who are working 0.5 to full time.
- All lay pastors working 0.5 to full time.
From September 2023
- Those in other 0.5 to full time lay roles who have significant pastoral contact with individuals and families at points of vulnerability (pastoral workers, family workers, community workers) or roles with significant representative authority.
From September 2024
- Those in other lay roles who have significant pastoral contact with individuals and families at points of vulnerability (pastoral workers, family workers, community workers) and those pioneer ministers and lay pastors with significant representative authority working less than half time, according to a pattern of reflective supervision/group supervision/reflective management as determined by the Methodist Council.
I’m a lay employee and only work a small number of hours, do I have to have reflective supervision?
The church believes that, where possible, those working less than 15 hours a week should have the opportunity to receive Reflective Supervision alongside their line management provision. This may not always be possible though and the Supervision Plan holder in your district may offer an alternative. They may suggest joining a supervision group (Pilot arrangements are in place in some specific locations led by accredited supervisors) or alternatively encourage you to engage in reflective practice as part of your regular line management discussions. Line managers are trained in this aspect of their work and will encourage some deeper thinking and exploring around how you can bring out the best in your lay ministry.
I have heard about something called reflective line management will it affect me?
Reflective line management is now standard practice within the church to support all lay employees who have significant pastoral contact with individuals and families at points of vulnerability (pastoral workers, family workers, community workers) and those with significant representative authority, where reflective supervision is not for any reason in place. It enables not only the practical aspects of the work to be reviewed but also encourages some deeper thinking and exploring around how you can bring out the best in your lay ministry. It will only affect you if you have a role that falls into these categories but you are not yet covered by reflective supervision arrangements.
I work 25 hours a week as a lay employee should I have reflective line management now?
If you work 0.5 to full time in a lay role with significant pastoral contact with individuals and families at points of vulnerability (pastoral workers, family workers, community workers) or a role with significant representative authority you should be offered reflective supervision as well as your usual line management.
My line manager often just catches up with me after church. Is this ok or should I have a longer conversation?
The church is committed to best practice support for our lay employees. Whilst we recognise a quick catch up about an important issue is often useful, Line Management conversations should always be undertaken at a set time and in a dedicated space. They should offer chance to review work plans and activity but also allow for careful reflection on the ministry offered where reflective supervision is not in place. There is a helpful line management record system which should be used for every meeting.
I’m a caretaker do I need supervision?
The church wants to ensure you are well supported. This will happen through regular line management. You will not need supervision.
If you think you are missing out on line management then please be in touch your designated church contact.
How do I keep a note of my line management?
The church has provided a simple log on which to record the date and time of your line management meetings alongside the general topics of conversation and progress. It also allows you to keep track of significant risks/safeguarding issues discussed for easy tracking. It can be found here and sight of it can be asked for by senior church leaders.