Since it's founding in 1997, the CYC-Net discussion group has been asked thousands of questions. These questions often generate many replies from people in all spheres of the Child and Youth Care profession and contain personal experiences, viewpoints, as well as recommended resources.
Below are some of the threads of discussions on varying Child and Youth Care related topics.
Questions and Responses have been reproduced verbatim.
Listen to thisHello all.
I think most of us would agree about the crucial rolethat supervision
plays in all our work and I would love to raise a question for Child and Youth Care workers (who are not supervisors) as to what they feel is the most
crucial quality they need from their supervisor to increase their
effectiveness at work, as well as inviting supervisors to comment on
what they feel is the most crucial quality to provide to the Child and Youth Care Worker.
Frank Delano
Hawthorne, New York
...
Hi everyone.
I believe that the most crucial quality in supervision is to support and
challenge Child and Youth Care workers at the same time. We work in a field that is
rather demanding, both physically and mentally. As we observe and take
mental notes on the youth we work with, so do our supervisors take
mental notes on us.
The nature of our field does not always allow for feedback to be given in the moment, so supervisions are the normal feedback medium. I believe that it is imperative that we are able to accept the feedback that is given to us with the same spirit as it is intended, which is to make us better at what we do, thus making it better for the youth we work with. In the past I have taken feedback personally, and as an attack on my style, dedication, etc.
This was not the right thing to do, but I am very
far from perfect. To personalize the comments which are meant to make us
better is counterproductive to say the least. If done correctly,
supervisions can be professionally rewarding and an amazing tool to
shape our way of thinking.
Karoly (Charlie) Toth
Nova Scotia
...
I enjoy working with supervisors who are ethical and supportive.
Raquel Rodriguez
...
Hi Frank.
Here's my thought on the most crucial quality
needed from supervisors to increase a person's effectiveness:
Specific constructive feedback. That one skill is supported by a number
of characteristics:
Observation
Listening
Kindness
Connectedness to others
It also requires the skill of the Child and Youth Care worker in receiving, filtering,
and applying that feedback.
James Freeman
California USA
...
Hi Frank,
I think yours is a very good question, and I would like to answer it by
giving my opinion about what supervisors should NOT be doing.
Frontline workers face challenges every day, and while some days are
very rewarding, the reality is that some days are very hard. One
of the worst things a supervisor can do is to "feed" workers agency
policy, politics and theory when they really need understanding and
support. That is the point when "we" becomes "them and us".
So to answer the question more directly, I think the most important
thing/quality a supervisor can provide is genuine recognition and
appreciation for the everyday challenges that frontline workers face.
Werner van der Westhuizen
...
One of the most crucial qualities that a supervisor should possess is
the "vision" – If the supervisor is not skilled enough to carry out the
leadership (cyc) and institutional (org) visions, then the supervisor is
bound to fail in his or her role.
Alex Selesho
...
Hi there,
Karoly, I do agree with your points regarding supervision qualities,
however I think it important to point out the difference between
challenging and insight oriented models of supervision. To
challenge, can imply that the other has engaged in wrong-doing, while
assuming an insight oriented model requires that one reflect upon their
methods and interactions with clients that can foster understanding and
growth.
Having said this, I also think that the demands of our work call upon a
utilitarian approach that can involve innovative or otherwise
progressive methods that are unique to each family. I firmly
believe that, all education and knowledge aside, it is we the front line
workers who have a more succinct understanding of our clients' needs
than do our supervisors, based on our daily interactions. So
regardless of the approach we assume with a client, a supportive
supervisor will want to engage in a discussion that fosters reflective
thinking and insight versus mere challenge.
Valuable supervision involves a process that fosters learning for both
supervisor and supervisee and will involve discussions that inquire as
opposed to judging.
Donicka Budd
...
Hi Donicka and Alex.
As far as having vision, supervisors and staff alike are limited in this
by their professional mandate, the program perimeters and the
availability of mind-opening information that has a surreal-like feeling
to it.
Donicka, I agree with you that there is something to working closely
with youth. However, sometimes I see our job as a painter who is
assigned to paint a part of a wall. While close to the wall, we
takce care of it, closely ensuring that it is doing well. Since
our supervisors see the large wall, they can compare our skills,
techniques. I have said it before, we are all imperfect, and to
"engage in wrong doing" as you say, is well...inevitable. But I do
believe that you paint it in too dramatic of a manner. Don't you make
mistakes? Of course you do. It is just as important to learn from
those mistakes as it is to have your supervisor acknowledge them,and to
know that you are on top of it. I hate to quote a classic, but
Socrates said that "We must have the courage to be imperfect."
Also, supervision should be two people talking with one another, no
lecturing, or preaching.
Charlie
Truro
...
Hi, Frank!
It's been some time since you and I discussed Kadushin's work on
supervision when we met in Aviemore! That Transactional Analysis
based approach is still a good starting point to explore the supervision
relationship.
I think the ability to be critical without criticising about sums it up.
Support without challenge is not worth much to me in supervision.
Ni Holmes
Scotland
