Coaching Toolkit for Child Welfare

Chapter 1: Introduction 3

Introduction

The Coaching Toolkit for Child Welfare Practice is designed to help
guide the development and implementation of formal, professional
coaching within the child welfare context. Recently, the use of
coaching in child welfare organizations has received a great deal of
attention — and for good reason. Coaching helps individuals learn
new skills faster and more efficiently and effectively, and coaching
can support organizations in implementing new practices and
strategies.

Key Terms

Learner: The learner is the person who receives coaching. This

person can be a social worker, supervisor, manager, or director.

Coach: The coach is the person who provides coaching. The coach

may be an outside consultant (external coach) or a staff member

within the organization (internal coach) such as a dedicated coach

or trainer, social worker, supervisor, manager, or director.

Practice: The term practice, also known as coaching intervention,

can be specific to social worker skills, such as forensic

interviewing; or it can relate to supervision or leadership

strategies, such as group supervision or general leadership.