Supervisory Training
The Foundation Series for Supervisors provides the fundamental knowledge and skills necessary for supervising casework and for guiding and building staff.
All new supervisors are required to complete core training during the first year of employment. Foundation courses for supervisors are most beneficial when taken in the following sequence:
- Module 1: Administrative Supervision
Administrative Supervision focuses on those areas of supervision related to the efficient and effective delivery of services. This module stresses the importance of understanding one’s own management style within the context of the agency’s mission and vision and administrative structure and focuses on agency goals and outcomes. Key concepts covered in this module include: management styles; the use of power; advocacy; recruitment and selection of workers; change management; transitioning from peer to supervisor; and performance management. - Module 2: Educational Supervision
Educational Supervision focuses on educating workers in order to attain more skillful performance of their tasks. Topic areas within this module are: learning styles; mentoring; orienting new employees; stages of worker development; transfer of learning; constructive feedback; coaching; and clinical supervision. Highly interactive, key learning activities are encased in engaging games that stimulate thought as well as energize the atmosphere. The module concludes with a wrap-up activity called “SupervisionLand”, a creative board game that reviews key learning points and allows participants the opportunity to test their new knowledge and practice their new skills. - Module 3: Supportive Supervision
Supportive Supervision focuses on supporting, nurturing, and motivating workers to attain a high level of performance. Within the supportive supervision domain, the primary goal is to improve morale and job satisfaction. Key topics include secondary trauma, conflict management, job satisfaction, and management of a team. Because child welfare work is so demanding and the stress is often high, we’ve integrated humor throughout the module to model the importance of maintaining a positive atmosphere, as well as to make an otherwise difficult subject more engaging. This module reflects the reality of the supervisor’s position as head cheerleader, arbitrator, and counselor.
Tools for Supervisors
