PERFORMANCE EMBEDDED IN PROFESSIONAL SUPERVISION – THE WAY FORWARD FOR SOCIAL WORK

PERFORMANCE EMBEDDED IN PROFESSIONAL SUPERVISION – THE WAY FORWARD FOR SOCIAL WORK By Helen Teresa Anne Hanlon Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirement f o r t h e d eg r e e o f M a st e r s o f Bu s i n e s s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n i n H e a l t h S er v i ce s M a n a g e m e n t Thesis Supervisor: M s A n n a J e n n i n g s , S ch o o l o f Ap p l i e d S o ci a l S c i e n c e , U n i v e r s i t y C o l l e g e Du b l i n G r a d u at e S ch o o l o f Bu s i n e s s University College Dublin & Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland A p r i l 07 Abstract T h i s s t u d y e x p l o r e s p a r t i c i p a n t ’s p e r c e p t i o n s o f t h e management function of supervision and how it can be linked to a robust performance management system for social workers The literature review gives an overview of the meaning and purpose of professional supervision It also considers the complex context of child protection work that supervison takes place in The key literature relating to the management function and performance management is examined The research strategy employed is qualitative and exploratory in nature and involves semi-structured interviews with team leaders and social workers Analysis is carried out using a template analysis approach The key findings reaffirm that the management function is the predominant agenda in supervision with case discussion and action planning the central activities The organisations statutory and legal requirements drive current supervision activities Key supervision deficits include limited time for reflective practice, formal appraisals and structured and regular feedback on performance All respondents identify that the current supervision policy is not regarded as a living, working document and in some instances is completely discounted Furthermore, respondents identify the requirement for an integrated approach to supervision as set out i n t h e s u p e r v i s i o n p o l i c y, w h i c h i n c o r p o r a t e s t h e M o r r i s o n m o d e l o f s u p e r v i s i o n H i g h q u o t a s o f s t a ff to be supervised as well as other competing demands on team leaders are key barriers to implementation There is a culture of recognition and acceptance to social work performance being embedded in professional supervision and team-based approaches to performance management However for this to happen there is an organisational imperative to reduce the case and workloads of both team leaders and social workers The research concludes with recommendations for the organisation to cultivate an integrated approach to the performance management of social workers Dedication To m y b e l o v e d m o t h e r w h o en co u r a g ed h e r c h i l d r e n t o v a l u e a n d ch e r i s h t h e i m p o r t an c e o f e d u c a t i o n a n d l e a r n i n g a s a w o r t h w h i l e v eh i c l e t o a c h i e v i n g t h e b es t t h at t h i s l i f e c an g i ve T h a n k y o u f o r h e l p i n g m e t o a ch i e ve t h e v e r y b es t t h at is possible Declaration I hereby declare that:    This thesis has not been submitted as an exercise for a degree in any other University here in Ireland or in any o t h e r c o u n t r y This is entirely my own work The collective Libraries of University College Dublin, incorporating The Graduate Business School and The Royal College of Surgeons may lend or copy this thesis, on request Acknowledgements My sincere thanks and appreciation to all my colleagues in s o c i a l w o r k w h o k i n d l y p a r t i c i p a t e d i n t h i s s t u d y T h e i r t i m e and interest in sharing their knowledge and professional views is greatly appreciated Both social workers and team leaders work in a highly fluid, pressurised and complex environment on a day to day basis with children, young people and families and yet remain deeply committed and motivated in their work Thanks to Fergal McDonald for facilitating me in studying for the Masters in Business Administration in Health Services Management and for his support around this research project Also to Denise Keoghan for her advice and assistance in generating research ideas A special thanks to Ms Anna Jennings, School of Applied Social Science, University College Dublin, my supervisor who provided sound knowledge, guidance and much encouragement during the course of this thesis Also to my fellow students who provided a listening ear when I needed one A special thanks to my family for their support and guidance and especially to my sister Phil for her continued and relentless optimism and enthusiasm A special thanks to my friends for their constant e n c o u r a g e m e n t a n d p a t i e n c e w h e n I w a s b u r i e d i n p a p e r A special thanks to Mena Dooley for her expert advice and guidance in the technical editing of this document Table of Contents A BS T R A C T D E D I C AT I O N A C K NO W L E D G E M E NT S TA BL E O F C O NT E NT S L I S T O F E X H I BI T S A ND TA BL E S 11 C H A P T E R O NE INTRODUCTION 13 1.1 1.2 14 INTRODUCTION DEFINITION OF TERMS 1.2.1 1.2.2 1.2.3 1.2.4 Professional Supervision Performance Management Health Service Executive Tr a n s f o r m a t i o n P r o g r a m m e 2007-2010 1.2.5 OPM 1.2.5 Management Function of Supervision 1.2.7 Mentoring, Coaching and Personal Development Planning(PDP) 1.2.8 Social Care 1.2.9 Group Supervision Te a m B a s e d S u p e r v i s i o n 11 P e e r S u p e r v i s i o n 1.3 1.4 1.5 R AT I O N A L E F O R T H E S T U D Y OBJECTIVES RESEARCH QUESTION DEFINED 1.5.1 Main Research Question 1.5.2 Subsidiary Questions 1.6 RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES 14 14 14 15 15 16 16 16 16 17 17 17 18 18 18 19 19 1.7 C H A P T E R F O R M AT 20 CHAPTER TWO AGENCY AND POLICY CONTEXT 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 INTRODUCTION KEY DRIVERS PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT H S E T R A N S F O R M AT I O N P R O G R A M M E CONCLUSION 22 23 25 28 28 CHAPTER THREE L I T E R AT U R E R E V I E W 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 SECTION A – INTRODUCTION W H AT I S P R O F E S S I O N A L S U P E R V I S I O N ? T H E H I S TO R I C A L C O N T E X T A N D M O D E L S O F SUPERVISION MORRISON MODEL OF SUPERVISION MORRISON – SUPERVIS ION DEFINED AS A STRUCTURED PROCESS MORRISON – SUPERVISORY PROCESSES MORRISON – SERVICE USER/CLIENT OUTCOMES W H AT I S S I G N I F I C A N T A B O U T S U P E R V I S I O N I N C H I L D P R O T E C T I O N A N D W E L FA R E SERVICES? 30 E ff e c t i v e D e l i v e r y o f S e r v i c e s 3.8.2 Organisational Containment of Stress, Anxiety and Burnout 3.8.3 Managing Staff Retention and the P s y c h o l o g i c a l I m p a c t o f t h e Wo r k Q u a l i t y A s s e s s m e n t Wo r k w i t h C h i l d r e n and Families 3.8.5 Supervision in a Highly Fluid and Tu r b u l e n t E n v i r o n m e n t 38 3.9 CONCLUSION 33 35 36 36 36 37 38 39 40 40 41 3.10 SECTION B – THE MANAGEMENT FUNCTION 3.10.1 Integrated Approach to Supervision 3.10.2 The Management Function – Definition 42 43 3.10.3 The Management function – Compliance with Agency Policies 3.10.4 Accountability – The Predominant Agenda 3.10.5 High Rates of Attrition 3.10.6 Compromised Practice 3.10.7 Evidence of inadequate Supervision Va l i d a t i n g S u p e r v i s o r y E x p e r i e n c e s 3.10.9 Prescriptive Supervisory Practices Tr a i n i n g f o r S u p e r v i s o r C o m p e t e n c e 43 44 45 45 46 48 48 49 11 CONCLUSION 50 3.12 S E C T I O N C - M O V I N G TO WA R D S A PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT AND MEASUREMENT SYSTEM – O R G A N I S AT I O N A L S Y S T E M S A N D C A PA C I T I E S 51 3.12.1 Supplementing Individual Supervision a n d t h e L i n k a g e w i t h Wo r k - B a s e d Approaches to Performance Management Wo r k i n g a n d t h i n k i n g i n a d i f f e r e n t w a y To w a r d s t e a m - b a s e d l e a r n i n g , performance management and measurement 3.12.4 Performance indicators as a measurement tool 3.12.5 Output versus outcome measurements 3.12.6 TBPM pilot sites – the lessons learned 3.13 CONCLUSION 53 54 57 60 61 62 64 CHAPTER FOUR RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 4.1 INTRODUCTION 65 4.2 4.3 4.4 AIM OF RESEARCH OBJECTIVES PHILOSOPHIES UNDERPINNING THE RESEARCH 65 65 66 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9 4.10 11 4.12 4.13 4.14 4.15 METHODOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK AND THE RESEARCH PROCESS 67 PLACE OF STUDY 68 RESEARCH DESIGN 68 P R I M A R Y R E S E A R C H TO O L U T I L I Z E D 69 S E C O N D A R Y D ATA U T I L I Z E D 71 ACCESS, CONSENT AND ETHICAL C O N S I D E R AT I O N S 73 PILOTING THE INTERVIEW SCHEDULE 75 ACCOUNT OF FIELDWORK 76 D ATA O R G A N I S AT I O N A N D A N A LY S I S 76 BRIEF REFLECTIONS ON THE RESEARCH JOURNEY 78 CONCLUSION 79 CHAPTER FIVE R E S E A R C H F I N D I N G S A N D A N A LY S I S 5.1 5.2 INTRODUCTION SUPERVISORY EXPERIENCES – THE BIG PICTURE 5.3 PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT – THE BIG PICTURE R E Q U I R E M E N T F O R A N I N T E G R AT E D A P P R O A C H TO S U P E R V I S I O N 5.4.1 Lack of a robust organisational Mandate and capacity to meet policy expectations 5.4.2 Compromised practice and Incomplete Supervision A C C O U N TA B I L I T Y A N D C O M P L I A N C E WITH AGENCY POLICY – THE PREDOMINANT AGENDA S T R AT E G I C R E F O C U S I N G O F T H E PROCESS OF SUPERVIS ION TO EMBED PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT D E V E L O P I N G A P P R O P R I AT E MEASUREMENT TOOLS 5.8 CONCLUSION 10 80 80 81 89 92 93 96 100 103 107 ta rg e t and acc ess those soc ia l w or ke r s w hom for w te ve r re a son ma y not wi sh to ta ke pa rt i n the foc us group se ssi ons di rec tl y The q ue sti onna i re i s al so be i ng c onsid e re d for ea se of fe ed bac k for those soci a l w ork sta ff who no t wis h to be d ire ct ly invo lve d in f ace - to - f ace d at a co lle ct io n S uc h a me thod ol og y w i ll fa ci l i ta te the fe ed bac k of i nforma ti on i n a w ay tha t al l ow s soc ia l w or ke r s to gi ve i nforma ti on i n a c onfi d e nti al and anonymo us ma nne r As set out in the constructive comments from the Child Care Research Committee (please see attached) the seven professionally qualified social workers who are currently supervised by the writer will not be approached by the writer or involved in any way in this research The research topic will not be discussed in any way with any of these social workers Da ta Co lle c t io n a nd Ana lys is The d ata wi l l be c ol l ec te d throug h foc us groups a nd sta nd ard q ue sti onna i re s Al l othe r fi fty soc i al w ork sta ff w i l l be i nvi te d to compl e te the sta nd ard q ue sti onna i re T hi s w i l l a ssi st i n anonymi si ng the d ata w i thi n the subse q ue nt the si s d oc ume nt and fa ci l i ta ti ng soc ia l w or ker s w ho ma y not w i sh to e nga ge i n fa ce to - fac e re sea rch me thod s Re sea rch pa r tic i pa nts w i l l ve a n oppor tuni t y to see the anonymi se d da ta a s pre se nted i n the fi nd i ng s and a na l ysi s cha pter s Thi s wi l l be unde r ta ke n i n ord er to e nsure tha t the i r vie w s are c orre ctl y re pre se nte d and tha t the y a re sa ti sfi e d tha t the ir i nd i vi d ua l i nput/ d a ta to the re se arc h i s not id e nti fi a bl e i n the bod y of the fi nal re se arc h doc ume nt Soci al w or k pr ac ti ti oner s w il l be approa c he d by le tte r forma t, w i th a re q ue st to par tic i pa te i n the re sea rch It wi l l be c le ar ly sta te d i n wr i ti ng tha t the re se arc h w i l l not be used to e va l ua te e i ther i ndi vi d ual pra cti ce s or those of the ir ma na ge rs S houl d pr ac ti ti oner s fe e l unc omfor ta bl e w i th the re se arc h proce ss the y wi l l be fre e to wi thd w a t any ti me A sta nda rd q ue sti onna i re tool a nd the ma ti c foc us group ba se d on ke y the me s/ d oma i ns of the supe r vi si on pol i c y w i l l be use d Ethica l is s ue s The forme r Mi d la nd He al th B oa rd (now HS E) C hi l dc are Se rvi ce s se t up a re sea rc h c ommi tte e for non- cl i nic al tr i al s i n 20 to ove r se e 157 al l re se arc h be i ng und er ta ke n i n the re gi on on c hi l d re n, young pe opl e and fa mi l ie s a nd sur vei l l a nc e of re se arc h protoc ol s re fe rre d to i t i nvol vi ng huma n subj ec ts ca rri ed out i n the reg i on W he n the commi tte e c onsid er s tha t the propose d stud y id j usti fi e d a nd i t i s sa ti sfi ed wi th the ci rc umsta nc e s, i t sha l l gi ve i ts approva l to the cond uc ti ng of the stud y a nd pe rsons cond uc ti ng the stud y Gi ve n tha t the w ri ter propose s to und er ta ke re sea rc h on the supe r vi si on of profe ssi ona l l y q ual i fi ed soc ia l w or ker s w ho c urre ntl y de li ve r ser vic es to c hil d re n a nd fa mi l ie s, the wr i te r w rote to the commi tte e i n Oc tober 20 A c opy of the ir de li be ti ons i s attac hed for your i nforma ti on w i th the ir constr uc ti ve comme nts i nc or por a te d i nto thi s proposa l The i ssue of ga ther i ng d ata a ppropr ia te l y i n orde r to pre ve nt d ata bia s i s a ke y i ssue ad dresse d w i th thi s commi tte e as we l l as par tic i pa nt i nformed conse nt a nd c onfi d e nti al i ty The re se arc h w il l not be used to e va l ua te i nd i vi d ua l li ne ma nag er s i n the provi si on of pr ac ti ti oner supe r vi si on but r ather the exte nt to w hic h the i ndi vi d ual c onsti tue nt e le me nts of the supe r vi si on pol ic y i s bei ng i mpl e me nte d , from the per spe cti ve of soc ia l wor k pr ac ti ti oner s i n the ir expe ri e nc e of supe r vi si on c urre ntl y be i ng i mpl e me nted by Te am Lea de rs (the i r i mmed i a te ma nag er s w i th re sponsi bi l i ty for provi d i ng super vi si on) The re wi l l be no req ui re me nt on i nd i vid ua l soci al w or k pr ac ti ti oner s to par ti ci pa te i n the re se arc h a nd the re wi l l be no pe na l i sa ti on i n the ir opti ng out Wr i tte n c onse nt w il l be se c ure d i n a dva nc e i nte re ste d i n be i ng i nvol ved i n the re se arc h from pa r tic i pa nts An i nforma ti on l ea fl e t wi l l i ssue to al l pote nti a l re se arc h par tic i pa nts a dvi si ng of sa me and cover i ng the e thi ca l i ssue s ad dre sse d i n thi s proposa l The par ti ci pa nts wi l l be ma de a wa re of the a va i la bi l i ty of the Empl oye e Assi sta nce Se rvic e be fore , d uri ng a nd a fte r the foc us groups a nd sta nda rd que sti onna i re proce ss The w ri ter w il l be the onl y pe rson w ho wi l l be aw are of par ti ci pa nts i nvol ved i n the foc us group se ssi ons T he sta nd ard q ue sti onna i re wi l l be ci rc ul a te d throug h a posta l sur ve y and the re fore par tic i pa nt de tai l s wi l l re ma i n a nonymous Ma nag er s w il l not be ma de aw are of the i de nti ty of those w ho re spond e d to or contr i bute d to ei the r re se arc h me thod s or i nde ed those w ho c hoose not to par tic i pa te i n the re sea rch i n the fi rst i nsta nc e S tor ag e of a ll ta pe s a nd othe r re se a rc h da ta wi l l be ke pt i n the wr i te r s ow n home a nd al l tr a nsc ri pts/ ta pe s w i l l be d estroye d on re ce i pt of noti ce from Ms Tere sa O’ Ha , C our se Di rec tor tha t the submi tte d re sea rch doc ume nt s bee n acc epted a s the fi na l 158 re sea rch d oc ume nt by her i n pa r t ful fi l me nt of the MB A i n He al th Se rvic e s Ma na ge me nt Approva l s bee n soug ht i n Oc tober 20 from the c ommi tte e to und er ta ke thi s re se a rc h w i th soc ia l w or k pra cti ti one r s a nd I a tta ch a c opy of the ir w ri tte n re sponse for your i nforma ti on I ve i nc or por a te d the ir c onstr uc ti ve sugg e sti ons i n thi s a me nde d proposa l Supe rvis or De ta ils The w ri ter i s of the vi e w tha t the profe ssi ona l / te c hnic al know l ed ge to und er ta ke the supe r vi si on of thi s the si s proposa l i s hel d wi thi n the De pt of Soci al Pol ic y a nd S oc ia l Wor k, UC D The wr i te r s approa c he d re le va nt le ctur i ng sta ff from the Ma ste r s i n S oc ia l Work course i n UC D to di scuss thi s the si s proposa l to e li ci t the i r vi ew s on the si s super vi sor y func ti on a nd ta sk T he wr i te r i s curre ntl y a me mbe r of the Ma ster s i n Soci al Wor k Ad vi sor y B oard a nd al re ad y s sig ni fi ca nt e sta bl i shed li nka ge s w i th the d e pa rtme nt Ms Anna Je nni ng s, C our se Di rec tor on the Ma ster s i n Soci al Wor k cour se s a gree d to ac t as the si s supe r vi sor a nd provi de g uid a nc e on the re se arc h proce ss The s is le n gt h/ f orma t The propose d le ng th of the the si s i s 25 , 00 w ord s The fi na l submi ssi on da te i s 31 s t Ma rc h 20 The the si s wi l l fol l ow the fol l ow i ng forma t: Introd uc ti on Li te ture Re vie w Re sea rch me thod ol og y Re sul ts Ana l ysi s and di sc ussi ons C onc l usi on Ms Helen Hanlon, BSSc, DASS, MSW 159 Appendix 11 Correspondence to Ethics Committee - copy of form completed and submitted The research question was changed following the submission but given that the research was within the same field, permission was granted to conduct the research on 9th March 2007 Midland Area R E S E A RC H P R O J E C T E T H I C A L A P P R O VA L A P P L I C AT I O N FORM Return copies (including your signed original to): Laura Smith, Research Ethics Committee Secretary, Department of Public Health, HSE – MA, Central Office, Arden Road, Tullamore, Co.Offaly laura.smith@mailq.hse.ie 160 Research Project Ethical Approval Application Form FORM SUBMISSION DETAILS DATE: 13.11.06 13.11.06 Midland Area Please tick if you work for the HSE Yes Project Originator/Lead/Author: Dissertation as part fulfilment of the Masters in Business Administration in Health Services Management, Royal College of Surgeons Speciality/Department: Social Work Service, Community Services, O’ Carroll St Tullamore Sub-Committee: Not relevant Contact Email & Telephone/Fax Number: Helen.hanlon@mailq.hse.ie 057 93 22488 Project Title: Review the effectiveness of a policy document on staff supervision in respect of one staff discipline - Professionally Qualified Social Workers - in the former Midland Health Board area (now HSE) PROJECT DETAILS TOPIC: (please state why this topic was selected & a description of any background work carried out to date) Pl ea se se e attac he d ad de nd um, w hic h se ts out w hy the topi c wa s se le cted Yes Yes No  Is this research being undertaken for further education If yes, please give details: I am currently undertaking the MBA in Health Services Management in UCD and wish to undertake a study on professional supervision in completing my thesis in part fulfilment of the MBA 161 As per above Aims & Objectives: How will this study influence your current and/or future work? T he a i m of thi s the si s i s to exa mi ne the exte nt to w hi ch the pol i cy on super vi si on s be e n i mpl e me nte d w i th one profe ssi ona l g roup, na me l y profe ssi ona l l y qua li fi ed soci al w or ker s, w ho de l i ve r c ommuni ty c hi l dc are ser vic es, wi thi n the former Mid l a nd Hea l th B oard (now La oi s/O ff al y a nd Long ford/ We stmea th Loc al He al th O ffi c e Area s) T he foc us of the re sea rch w i ll be to i de nti fy wi th soc ia l w or ker s (from the per spec ti ve of the se pra cti ti one r s) the exte nt to w hi c h the pol i c y i s be i ng i mpl e me nted i n pra ctic e throug h the ir expe ri e nc e of profe ssi ona l supe r vi si on on a da y to da y ba si s be i ng d el i ve re d by Soci al Wor k Te am Lea de rs (i e frontl i ne ma na ge rs w i th re sponsi bi l i ty to provi d e profe ssi ona l super vi si on) T hi s stud y ms to re vie w the supe r vi si on pol ic y i mpl e me nta ti on i n the reg i on w i th one i de nti fi ed sta ff di sci pl i ne and the ma nag e me nt i ssue s a ri si ng for the org a ni sa ti on (HS E C hi l d Ca re Se rvic e s) on the i mpl e me nta ti on proc e ss PROJECT TYPE: Researchyes  Evaluation study  I currently work as a Team Leader in the Social Work Services This research should inform other Team Leaders and Principal Social Workers about how professional supervision of social workers happens at the frontline in service delivery and the mechanisms and processes that need to be put in place to ensure that effective supervision is provided DATA COLLECTION METHODS: (please tick all those that apply)  Quantitative quantitativeyes  Qualitative Retrospective  Prospective Both qualitative &  Concurrent yes Please provide a brief description of how you propose to collect the data: 162 A combi na ti on of q ua l i ta ti ve a nd q ua nti ta ti ve re sea rc h me thod s i s be i ng propose d i n ord er to ma xi mi se the g athe ri ng of rel e va nt da ta and i nforma ti on The q ualit at ive res e arch propose d wi l l i nvol ve a numbe r of foc us groups of soci a l w or ke r s from both La oi s/O ff al y a nd Long ford / We stme a th Loca l Hea l th O ffi c e area s The targe t g roup of soc ia l w or ker s i s e asi l y de fi na ble a nd l i mi ted i n numbe r The re a re a pproxi ma te l y fi fty- se ve n soc ia l w or ker s e mpl oyed i n the d el i ve r y of communi ty c hil dc are ser vi ce s, w hi c h wi l l re q ui re a pproxi ma te l y ei g ht foc us g roups of si x par tic i pa nts ac ross the reg i on Al l soc ia l w or ker s curre ntl y e mpl oye d wi l l be i nvi ted to par ti ci pa te i n the foc us group d i sc ussi ons, e x cep t t he se ve n s o cial wo rke rs curre nt ly s upe rvis e d b y t he writ e r The med i ssue s w il l be ised w i th the soc ia l w or ker s d ur i ng the foc us g roup se ssi ons ba se d on the ke y el e me nts/ d oma i ns of the exi sti ng c onte nts of the supe r vi si on pol i c y doc ume nt The foc us groups w i ll be re l a ti ve l y sma ll i n si ze i n ord er tha t e ac h par tic i pa nt’ s vie w s, expe ri e nc e s and opi ni ons on the pol i c y doc ume nt i mpl e me nta ti on c an be re ad il y e li ci ted T he foc us groups wi l l be fa ci li ta ted for a pproxi ma te l y hour s and the conte nts of the di sc ussi ons w i ll be ta pe d The w ri ter wi l l e mpl oy a n ad mi ni stra tor to type up the tra nscr i pts Informe d conse nt a nd c onfi d e ntia l i ty i ssue s w i ll be di sc ussed wi th re sea rch par ti ci pa nts i n a dva nc e of the re se arc h c omme nc i ng An i nte r vie w/ foc us g roup q ue sti on g ui de wi l l be de ve l ope d to i nform re se arc h pa rti ci pa nts of the foc us g roup proce ss i n a dva nc e of the propose d l i ne of que sti ons/ the ma tic i ssue s to be c ove re d i n the ac tua l re se a rc h proc e ss and thi s g uid e wi l l be a va i la bl e to par tic i pa nts i n ad va nce of the ir pa r tic i pa ti ng i n the re sea rch • The q uant it at ive res e arch w il l i nvol ve a sta nd ard q ue sti onna i re be i ng se nt to a ll fi fty profe ssi ona l l y q ua li fi ed soc ia l w or ker s pre se ntl y w or ki ng i n d el i ver i ng c ommuni ty soc i al w or k se r vi ce s i n both Loc al He al th Offi ce a re a s T he q ue sti ons wi l l be ba sed on the ke y e le me nts/ d oma i ns of the supe r vi si on pol ic y Thi s me thod i s be i ng e mpl oye d i n orde r to ta rg e t and acc ess those soc ia l w or ke r s w hom for w te ve r re a son ma y not w i sh to ta ke pa rt i n the foc us group se ssi ons di rec tl y The q ue sti onna i re i s a l so be i ng consi de red for e ase of fee d ba ck for those soci a l w ork sta ff who d o no t wis h t o b e d ire ct ly invo lve d in f ace - to - f ace d at a co lle ct io n S uc h a me thod ol og y wi l l fa ci l i ta te the fe ed bac k of i nforma ti on i n a wa y tha t al l ow s soc ia l w or ke r s to gi ve i nforma ti on i n a c onfi d e nti al and anonymo us ma nne r 163 As set out in the constructive comments from the Child Care Research Committee (please see attached) the seven professionally qualified social workers who are currently supervised by the writer will not be approached by the writer or involved in any way in this research The research topic will not be discussed in any way with any of these social workers Da ta Co lle c t io n a nd Ana lys is The da ta wi l l be c ol l ec te d throug h foc us g roups a nd sta nda rd q ue sti onna i re s Al l other fi fty soc ia l w ork sta ff w i l l be i nvi te d to compl e te the sta nd ard q ue sti onna i re T hi s w i l l a ssi st i n anonymi si ng the d ata w i thi n the subse q ue nt the si s d oc ume nt and fa ci l i ta ti ng soc i al w or ker s w ho ma y not w i sh to e nga ge i n fa ce to - fac e re sea rch me thod s The anonymi se d d ata w i ll be show n to the pa r tic i pa ti ng soc i al w or ker s to e nsure tha t the ir vi e w s are c orre ctl y re pre se nted a nd tha t the ir i nd i vi d ua l i nput/ d a ta to the re se arc h i s not id e nti fi a bl e i n the bod y of the fi nal re se arc h d ocume nt Thi s w i ll be mad e c le ar to par tic i pa nts i n wr i ti ng a nd c he cked ve r ba l l y pri or to the comme nce me nt of a ny foc us groups/ q ue sti onna i re proce ss Soci al w or k pr ac ti ti oner s w il l be approa c he d by le tte r forma t, w i th a re q ue st to par tic i pa te i n the re sea rch It wi l l be c le ar ly sta te d i n wr i ti ng tha t the re se arc h w i l l not be used to e va l ua te e i ther i ndi vi d ual pra cti ce s or those of the ir ma na ge rs S houl d pr ac ti ti oner s fee l unc omfor ta bl e wi th the re sea rc h proce ss the y wi l l be fre e to wi thd w a t any ti me A sta nda rd q ue sti onna i re tool a nd the ma ti c foc us group ba se d on ke y the me s/ d oma i ns of the supe r vi si on pol i c y w i l l be use d Participants: Please give details of all participants (i.e clients, patients, professionals, other departments etc.) involved in the research/evaluation, and whether or not they have been (i) identified, (ii) approached or (iii) recruited? Sample Size: How many participants will be involved? Approximately 50 social workers across both Local Health Office Areas This proposed research will involve social workers only They have been identifed as the social workers currently working in community care services (Child Protection and Welfare Services) in Portlaois, Athlone, Longford and 164Fostering and Adoption Services in Tullamore, Athlone, Mullingar and also the social workers who work in the Mullingar and Longford They have not been approached yet but it is my intention to write to them in December 2006, inviting them to participate in this research If quantitative, are these numbers representative of the total population size?  No Yes No Proposed starting date: January 2007 Three months Proposed duration of the project: What are the principal inclusion criteria? Discussions with professionally qualified social workers in respect of their experiences of professional supervision Social workers who are currently supervised by me to be excluded from the research What are the principal exclusion criteria? Social workers currently supervised by me (7 in total) Please provide details of the audience (internal/external/general public/etc.) to whom the report will be made available and how the results will be used Have you any dissemination plans? If so, please include a brief description of these also Dissertation to be completed by end of March 2007 as part of MBA No plans to disseminate to any audience pending results of MBA process before June 2007 The research will then be made available to those who participated, their managers, Principal Social Workers and Child Care Managers DATA PROTECTION Outline how you propose to ensure the care and protection of the research participants? The forme r Mi d la nd He al th B oa rd (now HS E) C hi l dc are Se rvi ce s se t up a re sea rc h commi tte e for non- c li ni ca l tr i al s i n 20 to ove r se e al l re sea rc h be i ng und e r ta ke n i n the re gi on on c hi l d re n, young pe opl e and fa mi l ie s a nd sur vei l l a nc e of re se arc h protoc ol s re fe rre d to i t i nvol vi ng huma n subj ec ts c arr ie d out i n the re g i on W he n the commi tte e consi de r s tha t the propose d stud y id j usti fi ed a nd i t i s 165 sa ti sfi ed w i th the c ircumsta nce s, i t sha l l gi ve i ts approva l to the cond uc ti ng of the stud y a nd pe rsons cond uc ti ng the stud y Gi ve n tha t the wr i te r propose s to und er ta ke re se arc h on the supe r vi si on of profe ssi ona l l y q ua l i fi e d soc ia l w or ke r s w ho curre ntl y de li ve r ser vic es to c hil d re n a nd fa mi l ie s, the wr i te r w rote to thi s commi tte e i n Oc tober 20 The i ssue of ga ther i ng d ata a ppropr ia te l y i n orde r to pre ve nt d ata bia s i s a ke y i ssue ad dresse d w i th thi s commi tte e as we l l as par tic i pa nt i nformed conse nt a nd c onfi d e nti al i ty The re sea rc h w il l not be use d to eva l ua te i nd i vi d ua l l i ne ma nag er s i n the provi si on of pr ac ti ti oner supe r vi si on but the r the exte nt to w hic h the i ndi vi d ual c onsti tue nt e le me nts of the supe r vi si on pol ic y i s bei ng i mpl e me nte d , from the per spe cti ve of soc ia l wor k pr ac ti ti oner s i n the ir exper ie nce of supe r vi si on c urre ntl y bei ng i mpl e me nted by Te am Le ad er s (the i r i mme d ia te ma nag er s w i th re sponsi bi l i ty for provi d i ng super vi si on) The re w il l be no req ui re me nt on i nd i vid ua l soc ia l w or k pr ac ti ti oner s to par ti ci pa te i n the re se arc h a nd the re wi l l be no pe na l i sa ti on i n the ir opti ng out Wr i tte n c onse nt w il l be se c ure d i n a dva nc e from pa r tic i pa nts i nte re ste d i n be i ng i nvol ved i n the re se arc h An i nforma ti on l ea fl e t wi l l i ssue to al l pote nti a l re se arc h par tic i pa nts ad vi si ng of sa me and c ove ri ng the e thic al i ssue s ad dre sse d i n thi s proposa l The pa r tic i pa nts wi l l be ma de aw are of the a va i la bi l i ty of the Empl oye e Assi sta nc e Se rvic e be fore , d uri ng a nd a fte r the foc us groups a nd sta nda rd que sti onna i re proce ss The wr i te r w il l be the onl y pe rson w ho wi l l be aw are of par ti ci pa nts i nvol ved i n the foc us group se ssi ons T he sta nda rd q ue sti onna i re wi l l be ci rc ul a te d throug h a posta l sur ve y and the re fore par tic i pa nt de tai l s wi l l re ma i n a nonymous Ma nag er s w il l not be ma de aw are of the i de nti ty of those w ho re spond e d to or contr i bute d to ei the r re se arc h me thod s or i nde ed those w ho c hoose not to par tic i pa te i n the re sea rch i n the fi rst i nsta nc e he ag w ri onlothe y per son hoh w i l ltabewial lwa ofptpa i pa nts STtor e ter of awi ll l ltabe pe the s a nd r re se w a rc da bereke i nr tic the i nvol ve d i n the foc us g roup se ssi ons The sta nd ard q ue sti onna wr i te r s ow n home and al l tra nscr i pts/ ta pe s w i l l be d estroye d oni re wi l l bececiircula throug h Ms a posta surO’ veHa y ara nd fore pator rti citha pa nt d eta il s re pt of ted noti ce from Terel sa , Cthe ourre se Di rec t the w i l l re ma i n a nonymous submi tte d re se a rc h doc ume nt s bee n a cce pte d a s the fi na l re sea rch d oc ume nt by her i n pa r t ful fi l me nt of the MB A i n He al th Marvic na ge wina l l ge not Se e sr sMa mebe nt.mad e a wa re of the id e nti ty of those w ho re spond ed to orwill c ontr i bute to e i ther re seathe rc h confidentiality me thod s or i nd What measures be put indplace to ensure ofee d those w ho choose not to pa r ti ci pa te i n the re se a rc h i n the fi r st personal data? i nsta nce S tora ge of al l ta pe s and other re sea rch d ata w i ll be ke pt i n the w ri ter s ow n home and al l tra nscr i pts/ ta pe s w i l l be d estroye d on re ce i pt of noti ce from Ms Te re sa O’ Har a, C our se Di rec tor tha t the submi tte d 166pte d a s the fi na l re sea rc h d oc ume nt re se a rc h doc ume nt s bee n a cce by her i n pa r t ful fi l me nt of the MB A i n He al th Se rvic es Ma na ge me nt Where will the analysis of the data from the study take place? By whom will it be undertaken? Who will have control of and act as custodian for the data generated by the study? Data from the qualatative and quantitative methods will be analysed by me in conjunction with thesis in my own home in the supervisors place of work, UCD to destroy all Isupervisor will have control of and act and as custodian for the data collected andnamely, will undertake data collected on receiving the final results of the MBA from the MBA Course Director Who will have access to the data generated by the study? Social workers, their managers, Principal Social Workers and Child Care Managers will have access only to the final written document i.e the completed thesis For how long will the data be stored? MONTHS YEARS 12 only the Have you addressed all the ethical considerations? Yes yes  No  Use Ethical Checklist Guide to describe how Attach the necessary documentation THIS QUESTION MUST BE ANSWERED BEOFRE UNDERTAKING THE RESEARCH Will the individual researcher receive any personal payment over and above normal salary for undertaking this research?  Yes No If yes, outline:  No 167 Will individual researchers receive any other benefits or incentives for undertaking this research?  Yes No If yes, outline:  No Please see attached submission to Dr Phil Jennings DECLARATION  The information on this form is accurate to the best of my knowledge and I take full responsibility for it  I undertake to abide by the ethical principles underlying the Declaration of Helsinki and the HSE-MA Guidelines on Good Research Practice  I undertake to submit an annual report as per Ethical Approval SOP to the REC  I am aware of my responsibility to comply with the Data Protection Act 1998 and 2003  I understand that research records/data may be subject to inspection for audit purposes if required in the future  I understand that personal data about me as a researcher in this application will be held by the REC and that this will be managed according to the Data Protection Act 1998 and 2003  I will make a copy of my research available to the Regional Librarian on completion Date Proposal Form Submitted: 13 /11 Signed (project leader): Helen Hanlon /06 FOR OFFICE USE ONLY: Results of proposal discussed by Research Ethics Committee Accepted Rejected   Reason: Chairperson/vice-chairperson Signature: Date: _ TOPIC: (please state why this topic was selected & a description of any background work carried out to date) - (Addendum page) 168 The wr i te rs i nte re st i n the area of cl i ni ca l/ profe ssi ona l supe r vi si on e me rg ed over a fi ve yea r per i od from 199 6- 20 w hi le se tti ng up and ma na gi ng the C hi ld C are Tra ini ng a nd De ve l opme nt Uni t i n the forme r Mi d la nd He a l th B oa rd (now HS E, Dubl i n Mid - Le i nster ) T he substa nti ve func ti on of the post i nvol ved i de nti fi ca ti on of the tr ni ng ne ed s of sta ff de li ver i ng and ma nag i ng chi ld ca re se r vi ce s i n the re gi on and de ve l opi ng a ppropr i a te tr ni ng re sponse s and sol uti ons to me e t the se ne ed s In O ctobe r 20 1, the w ri ter move d to a frontl i ne ma na ge me nt (c urre nt post a s tea m l ea de r) post i n chi ld protec ti on and we l fa re se r vic es a nd q uic kl y e sta bl i she d tha t w hi le profe ssi ona l supe r vi si on wa s re cog ni sed by both pr ac ti ti one r s and ma nag er s as be i ng c ri ti ca l to a chie vi ng and ma i nta i ni ng be st pra ctic e, the re wa s an a d hoc , i nc onsi ste nt and unstr uc ture d a pproa c h to the provi si on of cl i nic al supe r vi si on W hi l e super vi si on tr ni ng had pre vi ousl y be e n commi ssi one d by the w ri ter i n 1998 for frontl i ne and se ni or ma na ge rs d el i ve ri ng c hi l dc are ser vic es, the i mpl e me nta ti on w i th c hi l dc are pra cti ti oner s a nd ma na ge r s w a s spora di c i n na ture and not pr i or i ti se d by the org a ni sa ti on a s a ke y profe ssi ona l func ti on/a cti vi ty for ei the r ma nag er s or pr ac ti ti oner s al i ke It fre q ue ntl y be ca me a ca sua l ty i n a compe ti ng a nd de ma nd i ng ser vic e de l i ve r y e nvi ronme nt Fur the rmore , the re wa s no pol i c y d oc ume nt i n pla ce to unde r pi n or val i da te the pr ac ti ce of profe ssi ona l super vi si on of sta ff w i thi n the org a ni sa ti on In S e pte mber 20 a na ti ona l w orki ng group w as e sta bl i she d by the Na ti ona l Re sourc e Te am/ Ad vi sor y G roup (HEB E) on the i mpl e me nta ti on of C hi l d re n Fi r st Na ti onal G uid e l i ne s on C hi ld Abuse (1999) to de ve l op na ti ona l g uid el i ne s on a supe r vi si on pol ic y for sta ff i n He al th B oa rd C hil dc are S er vi ce s The se g uid el i ne s w ere i ssue d i n Fe br uar y 20 O n foot of the se na ti onal d eve l opme nts and exper ie nce of ma na gi ng frontl i ne c hil d protec ti on sta ff , i n N ove mbe r 200 the wr i te r submi t te d a proposa l to the former Mid l a nd Hea l th B oard, now Hea l th S er vi ce Exe c uti ve , re l a ti ng to pol i c y d e ve l opme nt a nd i mpl e me nta ti on of sta ff tr ni ng i n c li nic al super vi si on wi thi n the re g i on The proposa l conce rned frontl i ne pr ac ti ti one r s and the ir ma na ge rs d el i ver i ng c hi l dc are ser vic es w i thi n the reg i on a nd re l a te d to soc ia l w or ke r s, fa mi l y suppor t w or ker s and communi ty chi ld ca re sta ff The forme r Mi d la nd He al th B oa rd (now HS E) C hi l d C are Ca re Group esta bl i she d a Mul ti - d i sc i pl i na r y C hi l d Ca re S uper vi si on Pol i c y Group i n Fe br uar y 20 to ove rsee the d eve l opme nt of a B oa rd wi de supe r vi si on pol i c y a nd the i mpl e me nta ti on of tr ni ng on supe r vi si on for pra cti ti one r s a nd ma nag er s Thi s ta sk g roup i nvol ved a re pre se nta ti on of the di sci pl i ne s conce rned a nd w as ma na ge d by a proj ec t ma nag e r Fol l ow i ng the N ove mber 20 submi ssi o n to se ni or ma na ge r s i n the orga ni sa ti on the wr i te r w a s re le ased to a tte nd a tra i ni ng cour se i n Ma nc he ster to tr n a s a tra i ner i n the de li ve ry of supe r vi si on tr ni ng to frontl i ne and se ni or ma na ge rs a nd c hi l d 169 ca re pra cti ti one r s a cross the re gi on T hi s tr n- the -tra i ner s cour se wa s fa ci l i ta ted by Tony Morr i son, soci al w ork consul ta nt and tr ne r w ho s wr i tte n and tr ne d exte nsi ve l y on the subj ec t a nd s publ i s he d pr ac tic al g ui de s for both super vi sor s and supe r vi se e s on i mprovi ng supe r vi si on wi thi n soc ia l w or k a nd soci a l ca re se tti ng s Thi s tra i ni ng wa s d el i ve re d throug h a num be r of four- da y c our se s to thi s targe t group i n l ate 20 a nd ea rl y 200 C urre ntl y a s a frontl i ne ma na ge r w i th re sponsi bi l i ty for d el i ve r y of soc ia l w or k a nd fa mi l y suppor t se r vic es to c hi l d re n a nd fa mi l ie s on a da y to da y ba si s, sta ff supe r vi si on i s re cog ni sed a s a c ri ti ca l el e me nt to e ff e cti ve pr ac ti ce , profe ssi ona l d eve l opme nt and suppor t for w or ker s i n a n i nc re asi ng l y compl ex a nd d e ma nd i ng w or k envi ronme nt As a ke y func ti on i n the posi ti on of tea m le ad er , the w ri ter i mpl e me nts the Morr i son mod e l of super vi si on pr ac tic e wi th soc ia l w or k, soci a l c are and fa mi l y suppor t sta ff O ne of the pr i or i tie s i de nti fi e d by the w or ki ng g roup i n the or ig i nal proc e ss of d eve l opi ng and i ntrod uc i ng a super vi si on pol ic y and re l a te d supe r vi si on pr ac ti ce s wi th sta ff ac ross the reg i on i nvol ve d an e va l ua ti on a nd re vi e w of the e ff e c ti ve ne ss of the pol i c y doc ume nt on a n a nnual ba si s Thi s re vi e w s not ta ke n pl ac e to da te a nd i t i s now bei ng propose d by the wr i te r to e va l ua te a nd re vi ew the i mpl e me nta ti on of the pol ic y doc ume nt w i th one di sci pl i ne i nvol ved w i thi n the c ontext of thi s the si s proposa l 170 171 ... period in March 2007 The purpose in interviewing social workers centred on determining their perceptions and experiences of the management function of supervision and the impact on their professional. .. of working point towards the desirability of supervision of the worker (Kadushin, 1992) 3.3 The historical context and models of supervision There are references to social work supervision dating... purpose and the process of supervision in social work rather than defining the terms Theories and principles on supervision have not actually changed much since first articulated in a social w o