Supervisor’s Role in Preparing and Supporting Staff for the Future

Level: Supervisor, Manager

Credits: 6

Intended Audience: Supervisors and Managers

Description of Course: The primary focus of the work we do in child welfare is change. Sometimes, the way our organizations provide these change services is through ever-changing infrastructures, services, external mandates and a transitioning workforce. Change is inevitable in the way we provide services, and supervisors play a key role in helping staff to understand and prepare for future changes while performing at optimal levels for client services.

This workshop begins with a clarification of the interface between change and transition and reviews the individual and organizational stages of change. In preparing for the future, several assessments are completed to identify the change skills and change readiness. Participants not only identify their own skills preparation, but prepare for assessing those of their staff. Additionally, participants will practice preparing staff of all change profiles for future changes, and review helpful “managing up” strategies to advocate effectively at the next level of the organizational structure.

The general construction of the workshop process is: 20% large group discussion/presentation, 30% self-reflection/assessment, 30% small group activity, 20% dyad/triad skills practice.