1. Tips for Owning Your Own Supervision in Child and Youth Care
By: Frank Delano
Frank Delano

2. Child and Youth Care Work
We deal with challenging behaviours from children
We can’t always see our “successes” short term, sometimes we never see them as they may happen years later
We get cursed at more than most jobs
We don’t always feel the support we want from other agencies or funding sources
The work raises all sorts of emotions and feelings in us
The hours are often unpredictable and crazy!
The community often doesn’t appreciate our work and sees us as “babysitters”
The pay is LOW
Frank Delano

3. If I Could Supervise My Supervisor I Would...
Ask them to start supervision on time and have no interruptions
Ask them not to take their frustrations out on me
Tell them I don’t always need an answer, sometimes I just need an ear
Demand they prepare for my supervision session
Empower my supervisor to take several trainings to be able to better supervise me
Help them learn to be more empathic
Tell them to guide, not judge
Frank Delano

4. If I Could Supervise My Supervisor I Would...
Work part of the Holidays with me. I need support and it is hard to be away from my families
Tell them to listen attentively, and with empathy
Suggest they be more professional rather than just trying to be a “buddy”
Ask them what the agency is supposed to be doing with the kids…if they know
Point out their negative attitude is contagious
Ask them to trust me more
Give them a raise for putting up with me!
Frank Delano

5. Supervision (F. Delano and J. Shah)
Supervision is a professional relationship that provides support, education, monitoring of quality, and creates a safe forum to reflect on professional practice. It should encourage constructive confrontation and critical thinking that informs and improves the practice of all parties. Respecting the inherent hierarchy in the relationship, it should accept the ethical responsibility to use power in a thoughtful manner. The dynamics in the supervisory relationship can create a parallel process in all other relationships including that of the client/worker.
Ultimately, supervision should be the vehicle to create dynamic growth, establish high professional standards and enhance quality and culturally competent services.
Frank Delano

6. POWER Assigned authority: One party can always “pull rank”
Administrative power: Lifestyle impact
The “power of access”: Quality and quantity
Impact on self esteem and sense of competency
Expectation of supervisee to reveal more about themselves
Mediates relationships and image in and outside of agency. This is REAL POWER!
Power and influence doesn’t stop when the professional relationship ends
Frank Delano

7. “Games” Supervisees Play (F. Delano and J. Shah)
The “easy button”
Shopping for answers
“Supervisor Tipper”
I heard everyone talking….
Voice mail roulette
I already told you my weakness….
You don’t understand these kids…
You could look it up
Frank Delano

8. “Managing Your Boss” (Gabarro and Kotter)
Accept it is normal for each person’s needs and styles to be different and tries to mesh them when possible.
Function on mutual expectations and responsibilities…each person in this relationship significantly needs the other.
Keep the supervisor informed. Remember that your supervisor is ultimately responsible for your work and also has a supervisor to report to.
Frank Delano

9. “Managing Your Boss” (Gabarro and Kotter)
Selectively uses the supervisor’s time and resources.
Keep a relationship based on honesty and dependability. It will lead to the delegation of responsibility and independence you seek in your work. It is also the basis of virtually all positive relationships in life.
Frank Delano

10. Confrontation (F. Delano and J. Shah)
A proactive intervention to intercept and redirect behavior that may require change
and
To create a forum to better understand and guide the judgment/practice of both parties in order to ultimately improve quality and culturally competent service.
***Start every confrontation with “Help me understand….”
Frank Delano

11. The Two “Magic Questions”
What information do I have that they don’t that will help them see it my way?
What information do they have that I don’t that will help them see it my way?
Frank Delano

12. 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 Agenda Model
1/3 of the agenda is the responsibility of the supervisee to prepare
1/3 of the agenda is the responsibility of the supervisor to prepare
Respecting the inherent hierarchy in the relationship the supervisor retains discretion for the final 1/3
**Supervisee should hand in agenda one day In advance and consistently look to drive the final 1/3 of the agenda
Frank Delano

13. Sample 1/3 CYC Worker Agenda
My vacation request for August
Can I attend the training on better understanding trauma next week?
Johnny and his mother’s visit on Sunday…what to look for
Observations when I covered the overnight shift last week
My frustrations with Derrick and how he behaves toward me
Better understanding of the reason for the new policy on recreation trips
My participation in the evening activities restructuring…ideas to give me more impact
Frank Delano

14. OWNING YOUR OWN SUPERVISION
Ask! Ask! Ask!, and then ASK!
View Supervision as a way to grow personally and professionally. “With the privilege of professional judgment comes the responsibility of reflective practice!”
Seek out “supervision” anywhere you can and from anyone willing
Remember to ask the two magic questions
Learn and be willing to practice the art of constructive confrontation with your supervisor
Bring an agenda to supervision (use the 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 model)
Participate in group supervision
Frank Delano

15. OWNING YOUR OWN SUPERVISION
Politely “insist” on a timely evaluation and use your option to respond
Politely “insist” on regular supervision sessions
Training! Take all you can and be seen as one who will
Establish a “teaching diagnosis” of your supervisor
Learn the art of “managing your boss”
Be empathic with your supervisor’s issues and pressures…you may be there one day!
Remember: IT’S A RELATIONSHIP
Frank Delano

16. Presenter Contact Information
Frank Delano, LMSW
Professional Package: Training for Critically Thinking Professionals (Piermont, New York, USA)
Frank Delano