Dean (Steward) raised this – several of us have the same problem – how do we do case checking and QAA and IFRs as well as ongoing support for the team if no one in the team with experience.

Fran (Marrit) suggested we explore remote supervision- also double check pay rates – use the Pay Grade Framework to support this.

Helen (Drake) said they need people in the office due to drop in work they do. They run a supervisory team – paid at right rate – calling them Advice Service Managers recruited from non CA roles – put them through internal training and CA training and it has worked well.

We noted that there are different models for making sure volunteers are happy to seek remote support rather than seeking out someone in the office..some of us have found that the relationship for support and supervision is vital and remote support may be harder to establish the necessary rapport. Others found that it was OK and office chat helped to build more team spirit and mutual help than when we were all in the office together.

Chris ( O Hare) used a freelance consultant to do case checking and it worked well – there was general agreement that a key element is pay rate. Noted htat onsite supervision more important for those of us running drop ins for clients – maybe easier to use remote support if clients are not dropping into the service.

Pat (Coomber Wood) noted that it can be challenging for volunteers to accept supervisors who are not experienced advisers themselves- we noted that there is a great range of experience with vols …some are OK with this and others would resist…we also noted that in person support seems v important to some vols – who may resist remote support.