Chapter 7 : Section 15

Supervision Coaching

Procedures

The Supervision Coach Program is designed to develop leaders in the following positions: Supervision Coach Program Manager, Supervision Coach Program Supervisors, Supervision Coaches, Field Operations Program Supervisors, Field Operations Program Managers, OCWI Deputy Chiefs, OCWI Program Managers, Team Decision Making Program Manager, and Team Decision Making Supervisors.

Supervision Coaches will assist in building leaders’ proficiency in vision-driven, highest-quality practice that is delivered with compassion, respect, teamwork, and fidelity by communicating and modeling DCS values, principles, culture, and practice expertise.

The Supervision Coach Program will support the development of proficiency in the following areas:

• Safety Assessment: Application of the DCS SAFE AZ Safety Assessment and Safety Management practice model through all stages of a case.

• Case Management Practice: Application of family engagement practices and the intentional use of the DCS Specialist relationship with children and caregivers to achieve child safety and strengthen families.

• Clinical Supervision: Ability to conduct proactive strength-based case progress discussions and consultations, intentionally using the parallel process and a coaching approach to develop critical thinking skills and move children toward safe permanency and well-being.

• DCS Management System: Ability to set and maintain expectations, manage performance and process, practice people development, identify and implement improvement actions, identify problems and solutions and promote shared accountability using a coaching approach.

• Coaching in Child Welfare: Ability to use structured and goal-oriented interactions and to help others realize their own potential to think critically, discover solutions, take action to solve problems, and obtain proficiency through self-directed and individualized learning

• Culture of Safety and Learning: Ability to create a safe work environment that allows for the humility and vulnerability that encourages problem identification, self-reflection, growth, and continuous improvement

Observation and Feedback

The process for observation, feedback, and self-reflection is the same for all employees who participate in the Supervision Coach Program. Observation, feedback, and support are provided to the Supervision Coach leadership team by the centralized Lean Practitioners and Safety Practice Advisors. Observation, feedback, and support are provided to the Supervision Coaches by the Supervision Coach Program Supervisors. Observation, feedback, and support are provided to Field Operations Program Supervisors, Field Operations Program Managers, OCWI Deputy Chiefs, OCWI Program Managers, Team Decision Making Program Managers, and Team Decision Making Supervisors by Supervision Coaches.

Supervision Coaches will:

• spend at least one day per month in each assigned unit’s office;

• conduct a monthly individual coaching session with each assigned leader;

• provide informational resources, learning opportunities, and observation with feedback as identified by the leader; and

• be observed at least monthly conducting an individual coaching session or a clinical or DCS Management System observation.

Supervision Coaches must follow the Leader Standard Work for the position, which outlines required tasks and frequency.

The Supervision Coach Program Manager, or assigned representative, will share regional and statewide trends noted from the observations of clinical practice and use of the management system with Program Administrators on a regular cadence. Supervision Coaches provide coaching and lead development activities to support practice improvement efforts.

Learning Journey

Leaders engaged with the Supervision Coach Program utilize an intentional process of self-reflection, goal setting, engaging in learning activities, and observation and feedback known as the Learning Journey. This structured process supports leaders in enhancing knowledge in:

• safety assessment;

• case management practice;

• clinical supervision;

• DCS Management System;

• coaching in child welfare; and

• creating a culture of safety and learning.

Activities Outside of the Supervision Coach Role

The Supervision Coach Program Manual is a comprehensive description of the Supervision Coach Program and the role of Supervision Coaches. Any activity not included in the Program Manual is outside the scope of the Supervision Coach Program and will not be assigned to a Supervision Coach without the approval of the Supervision Coach Manager. Activities that must not be assigned include, but are not limited to:

• training DCS Specialists;

• onboarding new employees;

• participation in Employee Relations activities;

• acting supervision;

• clinical supervision and case closure;

• after-hours investigations; and

• safety, permanency, and other case decisions.

If a Supervision Coach has a concern that a child may be unsafe and sufficient action is not being taken to assess or manage child safety, the Supervision Coach communicates the concern to the involved DCS Program Supervisor and Program Manager and elevates to the regional Program Administrator if the concern is not resolved.

Effective Date: October 23, 2025

Revision History: May 13, 2021, October 23, 2024