Supervising Child Protective Services Caseworkers
Learning Objectives
- Discuss the nature of C.P.S. supervision.
- Explain the key tasks, common experiences, and issues involved in making the transition from caseworker to supervisor.
- Summarize the main factors, such as team development and worker safety, that build the foundation for effective C.P.S. unit performance.
- Assess how supervisors can have a positive impact on staff development and performance.
- Describe the impact of supervisory feedback and performance recognition on caseworkers within the C.P.S. unit.
- Discuss how supervisors can use information management systems to monitor performance and track data.
- Describe the multilayered process of clinical supervision and the supervisor’s role and responsibilities in this process.
- Identify strategies that promote recruitment and retention of an experienced and well-trained workforce.
- Explain the supervisor’s role as a mid-level manager interacting with both caseworkers and administrators.
- Apply methods for promoting a positive work environment through guidance, support and training.
Course Contents
- PREFACE
- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
- PURPOSE AND OVERVIEW
- THE NATURE OF CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES SUPERVISION
- Building and Maintaining the Foundation for Unit Functioning
- Developing and Maintaining Individual Staff Capacity
- Developing an Effective Relationship with Upper Management
- The Components of Supervisory Effectiveness
- Supportive Supervisory Practices
- MAKING THE TRANSITION FROM CASEWORKER TO SUPERVISOR
- Issues Related to Making the Transition to Supervisor
- Critical First Steps
- BUILDING THE FOUNDATION FOR EFFECTIVE UNIT PERFORMANCE
- Creating and Communicating a Vision for the Unit
- Establishing a Positive Work Climate
- Creating the Structure for the Successful Operation of the Unit
- Developing an Effective Work Team
- Worker Safety
- Relationships with the Public and the Media
- Protecting the Agency Against Liability
- BUILDING STAFF CAPACITY AND ACHIEVING QUALITY PERFORMANCE
- Performance Expectations and Standards
- Stages of Caseworker Development
- Orientation
- Methods for Building Staff Capacity
- Dealing with Performance Problems
- Dealing with Caseworker Resistance
- BUILDING STAFF CAPACITY AND ACHIEVING QUALITY PERFORMANCE
- Types of Feedback
- Criteria for Effective Feedback
- Conditions for Effective Feedback
- Supervisory Effectiveness in Providing Feedback
- Recognizing Performance
- RESULTS-ORIENTED MANAGEMENT
- Levels and Purposes for Monitoring
- Creating Methods to Track Data
- Creating Systems for Organizing and Tracking Data
- Monitoring the Qualitative Aspects of Casework Practice
- CLINICAL SUPERVISION
- Group Supervision
- Individual Supervision
- Building Self-awareness
- Case Consultation
- RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION
- Recruiting a Competent Workforce
- Secondary Trauma, Compassion Fatigue, and Burnout
- Lack of Job Satisfaction
- Promoting Staff Retention
- MANAGING FROM THE MIDDLE
- Communicating Policies, Procedures, and Directives Effectively
- Managing Up to Be Effective on the Job
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- MANAGING FROM THE MIDDLE
- Training
- Stress Management
- Time Management
- Conclusion
- MANAGING FROM THE MIDDLE
- ENDNOTES
- APPENDIX A—GLOSSARY OF TERMS
- APPENDIX B—RESOURCE LISTINGS OF SELECTED NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS CONCERNED WITH CHILD MALTREATMENT
- APPENDIX C—STATE TOLL-FREE TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR REPORTING CHILD ABUSE
- APPENDIX D—AN OVERVIEW OF THE CHILD PROTECTION PROCESS
- APPENDIX E—THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SOCIAL WORKERS CODE OF ETHICS
- APPENDIX F—THE CHILD PROTECTION PYRAMID