Safety Framework Supervisors as Coaches Department of Children and Families

Learning Objectives Participants will learn about coaching techniques and the importance the role of “supervisor coach” has on staff development practice skills Participants will be able to learn how to promote effective consultations with staff when discussing the six domains of the safety framework

What is Coaching? Coaching: is a structured process It uses specific strategies to help learners improve performance on the job so that there are improved agency practices and work outcomes.

What is Coaching – cont’d Focuses on strength and skill development over time, in addition to day to day instruction and oversight Offers more affirming feedback with the intention of strengthening skills Emphasis in on asking questions rather than giving directives

Fundamentals of Coaching Presence Listening Reflecting/Clarifying Questioning Feedback/assessment (as appropriate) Creating mutual accountability

Consultation Coaching Results Coaching helps the investigator/case manager: – Identify any problems or concerns – Analyze the facts – Clarify uncertainties – Understand the “next steps….” required – Assess the level of intervention required

Characteristics of an Effective Supervisor-Coach Discussion

Understanding Safety Framework Domains Child Functioning Adult Functioning General Parenting Parenting Discipline Maltreatment Nature of the Maltreatment

Coaching Questions on Maltreatment-Nature of Maltreatment The discussions need to be centered around the observations and evidence obtained during commencement of the investigation. – What is the extent of maltreatment? What is happening with the family? How long has this been going on? What safety concerns exist? – Looking beyond the surface? What are the underlying factors? Triggers? Did you notice a pattern of the behaviors? – Discussion of the circumstances prior, leading to (triggers) present danger and in the immediate future (impending danger) (controllable) (severity)

Coaching Questions on Child Functioning Questions are geared towards how the child or children are functioning in their every day activities. The following are examples of what you might ask: – Tell me about what the child said about going to the doctor all the time? Does he understand what is going on? – They are teenagers, what did they say about their hobbies? What do they do in their free time? Weekends? – What did Johnny say about school? Does he like going to that school or does he still miss the old one? – How does the child perform in school? What kinds of grades is she making? What is going on that grades changed so drastically? – What was your sense about the parent-child relationship?

Coaching Questions on Adult Functioning The domain is about how the parent is oriented in the area of physical, cognitive, emotional health in their daily functioning (relationships, employment, criminal history). Examples to discuss: – What is the employment history of the parent? How many jobs has father lost because of his drinking? – What is one thing the child said about when he sees father sober? – And…what about something he said about the nights when father comes home drunk and begins to fight? – What were your observations when mother said “she was almost ready to give up?” Did you notice if this made an impact to her husband? – What is mother saying about her support systems-anyone in her life that has helped her in the past? That can help her now? – Did you notice anything that made you have concerns about mom’s ability to cope with the stress of the separation? – Walk me through what mother said about her daily routines…

Coaching Questions on General Parenting The domain speaks about the context of how the parent views themselves as caregivers to their children, the views and beliefs on parenting and their practices and perceptions on how they parent. Was parent able to discuss any “good stories” about the family? Has there been important decisions mom has made regarding the medical condition of the child? How did she arrive at that decision? What did father say to you about his relationship with his own parents? What are some things that parent said about the challenges of being a parent? Based on the conversation, is this a parent who puts children first before anything else? Is parent able to meet the needs of the children? Has the parents behavior been an influence or a detriment towards the child? What observations did you get when you saw them together? What are some of the ways father told you he shows affection to his child? How did he expressed himself about the child? What was your impression of how parents help the child with homework? Tell me about the caregiver’s parenting strengths?

Coaching Questions on Parenting Discipline This domain relates to the parental characteristics, belief systems, values and methods used specifically related to the area of discipline practices. Did mom identify what is it that the child does to make her “lose it” and want to “beat the child?” When is it the mother feels she might hurt the child? Does mother recognize signs that increase the risk of her hitting the child? Did the parents identify how they were disciplined as children? Was there any discussion with the parents on how this discipline has effected their own parenting discipline? Did the parents identify how the discipline method/means is related to the behavior they were trying to change with the child? What types of actions by the child did the parent identify as needing discipline?

Is the Child Safe?

Safe and Unsafe Child Definitions

Our Goal is to ensure every child is safe.

Supervisor Consultation Model For the Six Domains Questions? Thank You All For Your Participation!