Statewide Quality Assurance Report

Florida Department of Children and FamiliesCase Management Services - 2009-2010 Quality Assurance Reporte) Supervisory Coaching and MentoringThe job of the frontline child welfare supervisor is critically important – perhaps the mostdemanding and difficult in the entire agency. Much has been written about the directconnection between the quality of supervision and important employee measures such as staffturnover rates, morale, and job performance and commitment. Good supervisors produceengaged employees which results in lower staff turnover rates and improved organizationalperformance, ultimately producing desired outcomes for children and families. Supervisorsmust coach and mentor case workers daily and, as part of the regular supervisory case review,conduct qualitative discussions with case workers to discuss all aspects of the child’s safety,well-being and permanency. The reviews should be focused on coaching the case worker toimprove the quality of the case work so that gaps in services are identified and corrected.Qualitative supervisory reviews and follow through are important components of ensuringsound case work practices are in place that should lead to positive outcomes for children andfamilies. Although practice has improved, and completing reviews timely seems to receive moreattention, practice data reflects continued performance gaps in the quality and follow throughof supervisory oversight. Practice reviews document the need for targeted work withsupervisors to improve skills in the areas of coaching staff. This is an area that needs localassessments in order to effect necessary change. The Department is currently pursuing severalinitiatives to improve supervisory skills that will have a direct impact on case work practice.Quality of Practice for Supervisory Coaching and Mentoring# of Applicable PracticeStd# Standard # Cases Yes No Cases Rating20Qualitative supervisory reviews and follow through were conducted as neededand required.1575 785 790 1575 50%20.1 Reviews were completed quarterly. 1575 1196 377 1573 76%20.220.3Supervisor considered all aspects of the child's safety, well-being andpermanency.Supervisor ensured follow through on guidance and direction or documentedthe reasons the guidance and direction were no longer necessary.1575 965 609 1574 61%1575 757 803 1560 49%Table III e-1Office of Family Safety | Page 24