The Development of Child Protection Supervisors in Northern British Columbia

This mixed-methods research examined the development of supervisors in the North Region of the Ministry of Children and Family Development in the Canadian Province of British Columbia. Survey questionnaires, focus groups, and individual interviews were used to gather data from child protection social workers, supervisors, and managers in order to better understand how the organization prepares social workers to assume supervisory responsibilities and how it can improve the development of new supervisors. Training and professional development, mentoring, and acting leadership opportunities were considered to be the most important elements in developing supervision and leadership skills.