A core function of supervision is to assess worker knowledge, skills, and abilities against the mission, values, and practice standards of the agency, with the goal of strengthening worker performance. This includes assessing what additional training, coaching, and mentoring is needed to help workers set and achieve job and career goals and engaging the worker in this process.
2018 Child Welfare Virtual Expo
CapLEARN
Provides training, resources, videos, and activities that explain how to develop agency capacity and programs that foster a healthy child welfare work environment.
Building a Model and Framework for Child Welfare Supervision (PDF - 378 KB)
Hess, Kanak, & Atkins (2009)
National Resource Center for Family-Centered Practice and Permanency Planning
National Child Welfare Resource Center for Organizational Improvement
Examines the responsibilities and needs of supervisory staff to develop an organizational framework to support child welfare supervision.
Linking Evidence to Child Welfare Supervision (PDF - 508 KB)
National Child Welfare Workforce Institute (2011)
Focuses on the components and educational paradigm within the context of child welfare supervision.
On the Frontline: Improving Child Protective Services Investigations
Mattingly (2014)
The Annie E. Casey Foundation
Focuses on understanding when families need protection and when systems should not intervene in the lives of kids and families.
Quality Worker-Parent Visits: A Tip Sheet for Supervisors and Managers (PDF - 202 KB)
Capacity Building Center for States (2017)
Describes how supervisors and program managers can assist child welfare caseworkers in conducting quality visits with parents.
| Series Title | Bulletins for Professionals |
| Author(s) | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
| Availability | View Download (PDF - 358KB) Order (Free) |
| Year Published | 2015 |
Supporting Quality Contacts Through Supervisor-Worker Coaching (PDF - 215 KB)
Capacity Building Center for States (2017)
Offers one-on-one coaching techniques aimed at enhancing the quality of caseworker contacts with children, youth, and families. This tip sheet presents coaching steps and tips that supervisors can use to help workers strengthen their skills, build confidence, and make progress toward identified goals.
Transfer of Learning: A Follow-Up With Child Welfare MSW Students After an Intensive Clinical Training (PDF - 79 KB)
Green, Wade, & Ting (2016)
Field Education Simmons School of Social Work, 6(2)
Provides the results of a randomized control trial involving MSW students learning motivational interviewing (MI). Findings suggest that the role of the field instructor was instrumental in whether students did or did not use MI in post training practice.
Workforce Development
Capacity Building Center for States
Provides data and resources to develop and implement recruiting and retention strategies and cultivate long-term employment solutions.