A rationale for a clinical supervision database for mental health nursing in the UK

Accessible summary•  Clinical supervision (CS) is a valuable resource for mental health nurses. Through guided reflection and supportive facilitation, the recipient of CS works towards developing their therapeutic practice. •  In many parts of the UK, the implementation of CS does not equate to best practice. This provision undermines and thwarts the potential gains that effective CS can produce. •  The development of a database of clinical supervisors may ensure that best practice guidelines are implemented. •  Information about a database that focuses on clinical supervisors of psychological therapies, including its rational, clarifying the intention of CS, and criteria of supervisors, are described.Abstract Clinical supervision (CS) is regarded as a valuable resource for mental health nursing. While there is considerable anecdotal reports of its implementation throughout the UK, these attempts are not without difficulty. A common tension reported in the literature relates to its provision being more akin to managerial supervision within a line‐management hierarchy which jars with its original intention and spirit. This paper will provide a discussion on the implementation of CS in mental health nursing in the UK, beginning with its suggested importance for the discipline. Following on from this, the rationale for a CS database and description of one NHS Board's attempts at developing a resource, initially focusing on clinical supervisors of psychological therapies, will be presented.