Enhancing Supports for Novice Workers in Child Welfare: A Study of Coaching for Child Welfare Interns

Coaching in child welfare settings shows promise as a supplement to traditional agency-based supervision. This study investigates the perceived benefits and challenges of an innovative coaching model for social work students with child welfare internships. Focus groups were conducted with student interns, former interns, and coaches. Focus group participants perceived coaching as helpful for professional development and influential in decisions to stay in child welfare. Participants also contrasted supervision experiences with coaching experiences, finding coaching to be more supportive. Findings point to the potential of coaching and/or strengths-based supervision for fostering commitment to child welfare.