Testimonials
Thank you so much for your amazing and thoughtful input during yesterday's session and your subsequent email.
Fiona Mead, Chesterfield Eating Disorders
Ive love every minute of working with you Margaret, you are wonderful! I cant thank you enough
we make the BEST team!! We've been on quite a journey!! You never know I mean a year ago this was just an idea and now we
are storming it!
we make the BEST team!! We've been on quite a journey!! You never know I mean a year ago this was just an idea and now we
are storming it!
Georgia Vine, Sheffield
Thanks Margaret, I find it really useful to have supervision with someone who really‘gets it' - from all angles!!
Independent OT
Brilliant Supervision! Thank you for agreeing to work with me. It is great to talk to you, I've been feeling really positive about my professional contribution at work since the sessions began. You are at the forefront of what's happening in Occupational Therapy and cover the whole spectrum. Not afraid to suggest or question, it's just what I've needed. Its amazing how many ideas and thoughts come up for me in the days after seeing you. I can't thank you enough for giving me the time, space and advice to put together a great initial strategy! Thanks very much.
Paula Widdowson Band 7 Active therapy services North West and East England
Thanks again for all your help with the editing, wouldn’t be as good without your guidance, much appreciated. Pleased you like first release version, some of the credit has to go to you, not only for the guidance but also encouragement. Cheers
Wilf Parsons Sex and Relationships Animator London
Thanks Margaret for ironing out my crumpled thoughts so expertly, and thanks for patiently listening to me again today, it does really help to talk things through. Your support and guidance has helped to keep me sane during the crazy times at Hamara and kept me on the OT tracks.
Elizabeth. Band 6 Occupational Therapist Specialist Vocational Rehabilitation Occupational Therapist. Leeds, West Yorkshire
Working with Margaret was a positive experience for me at a time in my career when I had reached a low point, she was easy to talk to and a good listener. I needed affirmation that I was not wrong in how I felt and she helped me to put these negative experiences behind me and start to move on.
Melanie Larkin Band 7 Occupational Therapist Social Services, Kent
I think the key things are having someone external to listen and vailIdate my concerns as well as always championing me to be the best OT I can be! I love your thoughts and thank you again for everything - honestly I wouldn’t have gotten through the 3 months without your sound advice and support! Thanks
Tara Whiteford Band 7 Occupational Therapist - Paediatrics & Developer Look Hear Australia
I met Margaret several years ago when supporting students on placement and when the time came that I needed to outsource for supervision there was immediately one name that came to mind. Margaret provided me with clinical supervision which was a safe space to work through my current situation and consider any issues with an OT specific slant. Margaret is such a warm and open personality that it was easy to build a therapeutic rapport. It was also extremely useful to have the supervision documented and linked to HCPC standards. I would not hesitate in recommending Margarets services to others.
Emma Crowcroft Regional Director of Occupational Therapy CAS Behavioural Health Midlands
Thank you so much for supervision on Friday, it was so useful, a real breath of fresh air. It was really useful to speak through my thoughts and to feel like I have a plan ahead. I really appreciate your supervision style as well, it’s great to be supervised by someone with so much experience and knowledge.
Susannah Giles Band 6 South Yorkshire Housing Association
During a particularly difficult time of my employment I began clinical supervision with Margaret. The impact that it had on my personal and professional growth was clearly evident. The benefit of being able to discuss my own roles and responsibilities with a renewed belief and confidence, to be listened to, guided and supported assisted not only my own development but also that of the individuals I worked with. On reflection, my experience of clinical supervision is a highly positive one and I can say that I have become a better Learning Disabilities Nurse for it.
Louise Crick Learning Disabilities Nurse, Sheffield
Thank you very much for your skilled, generous and supportive supervision - helping me feel more positive in a situation that I have found a very difficult. Thank you for trying to pull together my ramblings and your positive re-framing it was helpful to have time for that. I also appreciate that you asked me questions which have stayed with me and kept me thinking.
Jane Griffiths Band 6 Transgender Clinic Sheffield
As I started a new role, with lots of new challenges, you really helped me to think about how to approach the role and gave some really useful advice and different ways to think through problems during the supervision. You were also available to talk outside of the times that we met and was always really approachable, realistic and knowledgeable. Thanks again for the supervision in the last year it has been invaluable and helpful.
Miriam Sykes Acting Head OT Female Low Secure Cygnet Bradford
I cannot recommend Margaret enough...Over the 2 years we have been working together, she has used her wealth of experience to help me make sense of challenging work situations and find realistic solutions. Margaret's knowledge of current occupational therapy practice has supported me in developing a service I am proud of.
Kim Howard Head Occupational Therapist Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit, Cygnet Hospital, Bradford
I have found supervision with you of the utmost benefit. You have grounded me at times when I
have needed grounding and helped me develop meaningful action plans which have guided the way
I work. This has been most beneficial when I have felt very overwhelmed and struggled to identify a meaningful action plan alone.
have needed grounding and helped me develop meaningful action plans which have guided the way
I work. This has been most beneficial when I have felt very overwhelmed and struggled to identify a meaningful action plan alone.
Vicky Musson, Clinical Operations Manager, iDirect Independent Living – E Dorset & Hampshire
I really value my time in supervision with Margaret. She brings clarity, focus and perspective to challenging situations which feel overwhelming. Margaret also brings a wealth of experience, information, perspective and humour to challenging clinical and managerial situations.
Bev Scholefield Band 7 Occupational Therapist Specialist in Acquired Brain Injury, Isle of Skye, Scotland
Thank you for the kind words. I felt so much better after our Supervision yesterday. It’s amazing how things can weigh on the mind without realising it. Thanks for the recommendation re local care homes and end of life hospitals. I will bear that in mind. I will also give some serious thought to the questions you pose in the email. Thanks for your time Margaret. You are a beacon of light!.
Greg Tull Independent OT and Shiatsu practitioner
Thanks Margaret. that was a really helpful supervision session. I feel re-energised now and it's nice to have specifics to focus on. Thanks again.
Faith Newton Band 7 Glasgow Scotland
I have always found Margaret to be very holistic in her approach during supervision. She is especially able to looks at things from different perspectives and take into account all factors, which has been a great help and source of encouragement
Rebekah Ali Band 6 Occupational Therapist Riverside Grange Eating Disorders Hospital Sheffield
My professional supervision from Margaret Spencer has been instrumental in enabling me to successfully meet the challenges of establishing two OT services within the Third Sector and beginning a career as an independent practitioner. The invaluable support and guidance received has empowered me with confidence during my transition from student to practitioner and to promote the profession in developing areas. Margaret provides a thoroughly inspirational, high quality service which I would recommend to any professional seeking external professional and/or clinical supervision.
Chris Wainwright Independent Practitioner Sheffield
I am an Independent Occupational Therapist, Pilates Teacher, and Nursery Nurse. Margaret has mentored me for the last 5 years as I have embarked on my independent career journey. Margaret has supported, listened and understood me throughout every stage, always with a positive, creative and realistic approach. I greatly appreciate her depth of experience, especially with ideas and information she shares with me, and encouraging my confidence to take them forward. Margaret always encourages integration of litigation, professional standards and conduct, evidence based practise, and CPD into the sessions. I have found Margaret to be an excellent mentor. She mentors me as a whole person, understands who I am. I cannot thank her highly enough for the help she continues to give me.
Liza Bingley Band 7 Occupational Therapist NHS Older Adults Falls Service, London
Margaret has been an invaluable support as I transitioned into independent practice and built my business over the last couple of years. Regular supervision has given me the opportunity to have a space to discuss ideas and get clarity on what I want to do, and having Margaret as a sounding board reminds me that I do have the skill set to achieve what I want. It's helped me push forward when I naturally want to hesitate, and I don't think I would have gotten this far (or not nearly as quickly) without Margaret's encouragement.
Kimann Jones London Independent Occupational Therapist and Yoga Teacher
You have a non-judgemental, empathetic approach, friendly, but always professional and have helped to guide me at times when could not see a step ahead, let alone a whole new path. In tough times you have helped me to see the lighter side of life with your consistent positivity about the profession and wider issues in healthcare. You do not restrict supervision to work, life outside work is important and you are accepting that the two interact, which makes the approach you use in supervision real, accepting and one where you leave with a greater understanding and sense of well-being.
Michelle Hinde Occupational Therapist Band 8a Clinical Manager South Yorkshire Eating Disorder Association.
Margaret has been invaluable within my transition from student to practitioner. Drawing on her wealth of knowledge and experience, Margaret helped me to gain clarity and perspective within a challenging and often overwhelming environment. Starting out as a newly qualified practitioner can be exciting but also a little bit daunting, especially when your first role is attempting to establish and develop an OT service within a company with only one other Newly Qualified Occupational Therapist. Although the other OT and the support staff were a great source of support, it was good to talk through ideas and any issues arising with someone with an outside perspective. Margaret provided a non-judgemental and empathetic environment where I was able to discuss my thoughts and feelings, formulate plans and problem-solve issues. The external supervision I gained from Margaret provided me with confidence within my practice and to address any arising issues with management. The support, guidance and perspective I have gained from Margaret has helped me to view the experience gained in a much more positive light, and identify skills which I am able to bring forward to future roles and opportunities. I would recommend Margaret to anyone seeking more clarity and certainty within their roles and the paths they are taking.
Jenny Rimmer Band 5 Beechwood
The first thing that struck me about working with Margaret was her enthusiasm for the contribution we can make as therapists, in existing and new areas of practice. She is very supportive and has extensive knowledge and experience to draw upon. She also has an easy going nature which instantly puts you at ease.
Paul Withington Band 7 Housing and Adaptations
Thank you so much for your support, I really appreciate the way you encourage me, and helped me to navigate my working life outside of the NHS.
Anna Lorencova, Shaw Trust, Norwich
Margaret's passion and motivation for Occupational Therapy has been evident throughout and as I have continued to say... 'Every OT needs a Margaret Spencer in their career!' I work within the NHS and have been receiving external supervision from Margaret over the past 5 months. This has been invaluable to my personal and professional development and has enabled me to work through some challenging situations. Margaret has a vast range of knowledge and experience and has supported me to develop insight into the the broader social, economical and political factors within various organisations. Margaret has been able to adapt her approach to each supervision session depending on the priority of need for discussion. This has not been restricted to work related issues only and has remained confidential throughout. In addition, Margaret has maintained a high quality service and has ensured that sessions have been documented and tailored to HCPC requirements when evidencing continuing professional development. I would highly recommend Margaret's service to anyone wanting to either gain further support, whether that be in the NHS or private sector, develop a service, or to establish a career pathway. Margaret has enabled me to reflect on both my current role and previous roles, within a calm and supportive environment, to begin to think about how I wish to progress within my career.
Annie Connor Band 5 Occupational Therapist Mental Health
I received clinical supervision from Margaret Spencer in my first role as a newly qualified OT. During this time I was experiencing challenges defining my role and responsibilities within a team who were unfamiliar with Occupational Therapy. Margaret's guidance and support during this time was invaluable. Supervision was allocated to two hours per month, however I wholeheartedly felt as though Margaret was with me every step of the way. Her knowledge, resilience and passion for OT is an inspiration and I hope to have the opportunity to work with Margaret again during my OT career. A lady who effortlessly goes the extra mile.
Hannah Band 5 Occupational Therapist Cheshire
Receiving clinical supervision from Margaret is a bit like going in as economy concentrated OJ and coming away as freshly squeezed Valencia orange juice with juicy bits in a fancy glass and a cocktail umbrella! It has been enriching, refreshing, rewarding and enlightening. Margaret has supported me through an incredibly challenging time in a minority role working for the local authority where OT was massively undervalued and misunderstood. She helped me keep clarity and remain composed. She helped me recognise my skills and achievements operating in austerity and offered comfort and solace that I was on track in providing the best OT service I could achieve in the context - she restored my faith and kept me going! She went above and beyond to offer clinical and emotional support often speaking to me outside of working hours and helping me focus on my overall professional development.
Hannah Bedford Band 6 Sheffield South Yorkshire
Supervision has been a must-have support for me. Starting and developing an OT service within a company without OT can, and has been at times, a challenging experience. Although there has been great support from my place of work it is good to talk through ideas and to problem-solve issues arising with someone from the same professional background. Sometimes working as a lone OT, it's difficult to know if you are doing the right thing and supervision does help to put things into perspective. I'm 4 years down the line in developing the service from scratch and now have a thriving OT service which is ever changing and developing for the better. The supervision I have had from Margaret has been integral to this. Supervision has helped to keep me sane
Tracy Smith Head Occupational Therapist Forensic Learning Disabilities, Exemplar Health Care, Doncaster
I received clinical supervision from Margaret for 7 years, between 2003 until 2010. In 2003 I had been in post for about a year as a Senior I, working on an acute ward for older adults with functional mental health problems. I was in a very small OT team with no Head OT on site and had received no clinical supervision since my arrival. At that time I was finding it difficult to view the situation objectively and often felt overwhelmed. During our first supervision session Margaret used the pillars of Clinical Governance to help me step back and look at the macro rather than concentrating on the micro. Our sessions quickly increased from 1 to 2 hours every two months during which I was able to set the pattern. I used the first hour to “off load” and share with Margaret details of developments knowing that Margaret would provide an objective perspective. By using a non-confrontational question and answer approach Margaret helped me to tease out problems that I had identified and encouraged me to analyse these problems as an objective observer rather than as a subjective participant. Because Margaret supervised OT’s in other organisations she was able to tell me about new developments that were being implemented elsewhere. I was able to adapt these ideas to formulate new initiatives to support the development of a broader OT service within our mental health service. Margaret also always ensured that I was up to date with new policies and helped me to understand the implications for me, my practice and that of my colleagues within our service. With Margaret’s support I was able to plan the development and implementation of an OT Clinical Lead post which has enhanced the standing of OT within this Trust. For the past 15 months I have been the Acting Team Leader of a CMHT for Older Adults. I sometimes forget that it is unusual for an OT to be in this position as I am well supported by colleagues from every discipline. I also sometimes forget how far I have come, and how far the OT service has developed, since my first supervision session with Margaret. I believe that had it not been for Margaret’s belief in me, the education she has delivered and her support I would not have felt sufficiently confident to undertake the post.
Pam Cooper Band 6 Occupational Therapist ATL Barnsley
I just wanted to thank you again for your time and honesty yesterday. I have a plan and feel better now.
Ruth Parrot Business Manager Under the Stars Sheffield
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