Supervising Social Workers in Involuntary Contexts: Some Considerations

Cousins, Carolyn

doi:10.1080/0312407x.2019.1695867

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Child protective workers discussed the resistance of parents in CPS to becoming engaged in the helping process. Various scholars argue that in the context of establishing collaboration with an involuntary client, including the parent, it is essential to understand and manage the factors provoking resistance (Cousins, 2020;Forrester et al, 2012;Trotter, Rooney & Rooney, 2020). This in turn can transform resistance into a willingness to engage in collaboration (Pösö et al, 2018).…”

Section: Discussion and Concluding Thoughtsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Involuntary parents encompass individuals who are resistant to services but are obtaining them either because of legal requirements or pressure from formal or informal sources (Pope & Kang, 2011). Cousins (2020) defines an involuntary client as a client with no choice, and introduces the concept of 'semivoluntary' participation, where participation is coerced. In both involuntary and semi-voluntary cases there are issues related to power dynamics, coercion and control within the provision of services.…”

Section: Encouraging Involuntary Parents To Collaborate With Cpsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although building rapport is the role of every social worker, the extent to which a trusting relationship develops is determined by the client (Forrester, Westlake, Killian, Antonopolou, Mccann, Thurnham, Thomas, Waits, Whittaker & Hutchison, 2019;Gibson et al, 2018;Nelson-Dusek, Rothe, Roberts & Pecora, 2016), specifically parents, who are the primary focus of this article. Parental resistance is considered a persistent challenge in CPS practice (Cousins, 2020;Forrester, Westlake & Glynn, 2012;Saar, 2006), with studies demonstrating that social workers experience difficulties in achieving collaboration with involuntary parents (Arbeiter & Toros, 2017;Sudland, 2020;Välba, Toros & Tiko, 2017;Wilkins & Whittaker, 2018). Knowledge of how to build collaborative relationships with involuntary parents is therefore crucial.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Building a Collaborative Relationship With an Involuntary Parent in Child Protective Services

Kallas

Toros

Falch‐Eriksen

2022

SWORK

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Building a collaborative relationship with an involuntary parent is challenging; however, the worker-client relationship is essential to promoting the wellbeing of the child and family. This article describes a small-scale qualitative study conducted with child protective workers in one region of Estonia. Findings indicate that in order to encourage involuntary parents to participate, it was crucial to learn what was provoking their resistance. Recognition was used to establish a collaborative relationship with involuntary parents. To reduce the unequal distribution of power, the parent was recognised as an equal partner and negative feelings were validated and understood as a normal reaction to intervention. Keywords: Child Protective Services, collaborative relationship, Estonia, involuntary parent, recognition, worker-client relationship

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Section: Discussion and Concluding Thoughtsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Encouraging Involuntary Parents To Collaborate With Cpsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Building a Collaborative Relationship With an Involuntary Parent in Child Protective Services

Kallas

Toros

Falch‐Eriksen

2022

SWORK

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“…Supervisors in this study also indicated that social workers became defensive and struggled to reflect on their plans with families. Social workers, particularly in statutory settings, need a safe space in supervision to explore their work, be challenged, be able to identify the use of power and ethical considerations (Cousins, 2019). Support for social workers to unpack their practice is crucial and requires a range of approaches (Wilkins, et al, 2017).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“Asking the ‘dumb’ questions”.

Rankine

Thomson

2022

ANZSWJ

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INTRODUCTION: Reflective social work supervision is essential to professional development, building resilience and client work. However, in child protection, supervision is preoccupied with managing risk and meeting outcomes at the expense of analysis and critical reflection. Oranga Tamariki (OT), the statutory child protection organisation in Aotearoa New Zealand, has recently been scrutinised for poor supervisory practice. The authors worked alongside OT social work supervisors and supervisees to explore ways to generate resilience, learning, self-awareness and develop practices that support reflective capability and well-being in supervision. METHODS: This article presents data from the pre/post online evaluation of an action research intervention study with OT supervisors and supervisees. The aim of the online survey was to measure participants’ supervision practices, and the extent to which perceptions of confidence, reflection, professional learning and resilience improved. FINDINGS: The findings are reported from key areas within OT supervision: the frequency of supervision sessions, the functions of supervision, engagement in reflection, supervision- changing practice, resilience and longevity in social work careers and the supervision of supervisors. CONCLUSIONS: The results from the survey showed social workers had increased confidence as they built reflective capacity, resiliency and improved their supervision practice. The study identified the importance of developing learning spaces that enhance reflective supervision for supervisors and supervisees in child protection.

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