NCJ Number
209285
Date Published
2004
Length
110 pages
Annotation
This manual provides practice-oriented advice on how to perform the duties involved in supervising child protective services (CPS) caseworkers.
Abstract
CPS supervisors are responsible for ensuring that positive outcomes are achieved for children and families through the delivery of competent, sensitive, and timely services, and that the agency's mission and goals are accomplished. The three overarching roles of CPS supervisors are building the foundation for and maintaining unit effectiveness, promoting the development of individual staff capacity, maintaining excellence in staff performance, and developing an effective relationship with upper management. This manual details the tasks to be performed in each of these roles. It also features a chapter on issues related to making the transition from caseworker to supervisor. A chapter on supervisory feedback and performance recognition addresses types of feedback, criteria for effective feedback, conditions for effective feedback, supervisory effectiveness in providing feedback, and recognizing performance. Results-oriented management is discussed in another chapter under the topics of levels and purposes for monitoring, the creation of methods for tracking data, the development of systems for organizing and tracking data, and monitoring the qualitative aspects of casework practice. A chapter on clinical supervision discusses group and individual supervision, building self-awareness, and case consultation. Other chapters focus on the recruitment and retention of staff; the communication of policies, procedures, and directives; training; stress management; and time management. 79 notes and appended list of national resource organizations concerned with child maltreatment, State toll-free telephone numbers for reporting child abuse, an overview of the child protection process, the child protection pyramid, and the code of ethics of the National Association of Social Workers