ABSTRACT
As soon as supervisor and supervisee have met for the first time, the supervision can begin. The most important aspect of the initial stage is a joint exploration of how to create an effective climate for learning, a learning situation that is both safe and challenging, both confidential and reliable. This is especially crucial in training supervision, on account of its compulsory nature: placement and supervision are part and parcel of the training. The relationship between the participants in supervision can be described as a functional working relationship. Functional relationships are terminated when the final goal has been attained or is deemed unattainable, when the work comes to an end, or when the specified or agreed time period has elapsed. The working agreement for supervision includes plans on the part of the supervisee. These plans are devised on the basis of what the supervisee already knows and can already do, and they contain specific items for the supervision period.
