A competency-based method for providing worker feedback to CPS supervisors

While Child Protective Services (CPS) supervisors routinely, and formally, evaluate workers, this process is generally of a one-way nature, with little informal and no formal feedback coming front workers to supervisors. This article describes a new instrument designed to allow CPS supervisors to receive feedback fi om the workers in their units. The instrument is intended to give supervisors feedback on specific competencies rather that to rate their performance in global areas. The instrument is based on a series of foals groups, in which both CPS workers and cps supervisors gave their views on those factors which are most critical to a supervisor's ability to perform well The results from these focus groups at are presented the instrument is described: and the authors' experiences in implementing the instrument in St, Louis County Missouri, are discussed.