“You cannot pour from an empty cup!”: child well-being service providers’ and policymakers’ professional supervision, coping and well-being during COVID-19

Purpose This paper aims to present findings from 440 responses regarding the experiences of supervision, coping and well-being of 83 service providers and policymakers from eight countries working to support children’s well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach A smartphone survey hosted on a custom-built app was used. The data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. The data were gathered in the last quarter of 2020. Findings While most respondents described the supervision they received as “useful” – both personally and professionally – and reported several characteristics of effective supervision practices, concerns about not receiving optimal support were also voiced. Respondents shared a range of stress management and other self-care practices they used but also revealed their difficulties optimally managing the stresses and anxieties during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, some respondents shared they were feeling helpless, unmotivated and unproductive. Yet, overall, responses were imbued with messages about hope, perseverance and self-compassion. Originality/value Using a bespoke smartphone app, rich and intimate insights were generated in real time from a wide range of professionals across high- and low- and middle-income countries – indicating the need to better support their well-being and service delivery.

Government agencies overseeing municipal council funds: رقابة الأجهزة الحكومية على أموال المجالس البلدية

The research aims to identify the main internal and external monetary supplies to municipalities and their role in turning municipalities to development institutions. IN addition, this research identified the main supervision practices over the municipal councils, which are carried out by some government agencies. The effect of such practices on the adequacy of work has also been identified. the descriptive approach has been used to handle these monetary supplies based on the legislations and regulations that are related to them. the analytical approach has also been employed by analyzing some legal provisions that are related to the research. In conclusion, after having handled the surveillance of the government agencies over municipal councils funds. It is essential to show the main results that we concluded as well as stating some recommendations, which are five. Among the most important results of the study: The financial autonomy that municipalities have is not absolute and relative, which emphasizes the idea that municipalities funds are subject to control by the central authority. this can sometimes lead to imposing some restrains on the jurisdiction of the municipal councils. The study recommended Increasing the financial autonomy of the municipalities as imposing censorship over the financial autonomy may be a cause of shortage of funds.

Secondary School Teachers’ and Principals’ Knowledge and Perception of School-Based Supervision Practices

This study sought to find out teachers’ and principals’ knowledge and perception of school-based supervision practices in public secondary schools in Benin metropolis. To achieve this purpose, four research questions were raised. The descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population of the study consisted of the teachers and principals in the Benin metropolis. A sample size of three hundred and sixty-three (363) principals and teachers was used. A structured questionnaire was used for the collection of data. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation for the research questions while the Chi-square and independent sample t-test were used to test the hypotheses. The findings of the study revealed that the teachers and principals were knowledgeable in the art of school-based supervision practices, and there were a lot of problems facing the effective practice of school-based supervision. The findings further revealed that years of experience was a determining factor in the art of carrying out school-based supervision. Therefore, appointing principals with at least ten years of experience and provision of modern facilities for school supervision were recommended.

The Design and Evaluation of Online Faculty Development for Effective Graduate Supervision

This design-based research aims to improve the quality of graduate supervision using a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC). The Quality Graduate Supervision MOOC brings interdisciplinary faculty, postdoctoral scholars, and expert supervisors together in an online learning community to discuss and consider effective supervision practice, strategies for relationship building, supports for academic writing, mentoring for diverse careers, and how to combine excellence and wellness. The survey, interview, and system data were analyzed to inform and assess the design and development of the QGS MOOC, to gain insights into learner experience and engagement, and to assess the impact of the online learning community on graduate supervision practices. Through ongoing design and evaluation of this online learning course for graduate supervisors, the research team found the learning community influenced faculty members’ awareness, collective knowledge building, goal setting, and actions for graduate supervision practice. We present results from our evaluation of the design components in the QGS MOOC, the learning benefits for supervisors, impacts on graduate supervision practice, and make several recommendations for research and practice.

COVID-19's Impact on Probation Professionals’ Views About Their Roles and the Future of Probation

In 2020, the COVID-19 global pandemic forced probation departments to change their practices overnight. The phenomenon presented many challenges for probation departments but also opened avenues for innovation and changes in attitudes toward supervision practices. We surveyed adult and juvenile probation departments in the entire state of Texas, specifically targeting management and supervisory personnel, officers with caseloads, including court officers, and information technology personnel ( N = 1,353). Our goals of this research included not only obtaining information about operational changes made because of the pandemic but also gauging attitudes toward these changes and the future of probation. We understood operational changes were inevitable, thus findings of significant operational changes were not surprising. We found that probation personnel were open to changes in operational procedures and that the pandemic spurred innovation and widespread acceptance in the use of technology for a variety of activities going forward that may not have been accepted prior to the pandemic.

Head Teachers Supervision Practices and Job Performance of Teachers in Government Aided Secondary Schools in Western Uganda

The study investigated the relationship between head teachers’ supervision practices and job performance of teachers in government aided secondary schools in Western Uganda. Head teachers supervision practices were studied in terms of supervision behavior, support and communication. Job performance of teachers was considered in terms of classroom teaching, management of students, discipline as well as regularity and interpersonal relations. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design using the quantitative approach on a sample of 333 teachers. Data were collected using both the questionnaire. Data were analysed using quantitative. Inferential analysis showed that while supervision behaviors and support had a positive and significant influence on job performance of teachers, supervision communication did not. It was concluded that supervision behaviors and support are important for the job performance of teachers. Therefore, it is recommends that head teachers should provide effective supervision to teachers because such a practice has a significant positive influence on teachers’ job performance.

Sorting Through the Evidence: A Step Toward Prioritization of Evidence-Based Community Supervision Practices

Studies of implementation of evidence-based supervision policies and procedures often report minimal to moderate adherence to evidence-based models. The few studies that exist examine the degree to which characteristics of probation officers, individuals on supervision, and supervision processes have an impact on rearrest (outcomes). Using administrative data on 7,326 probationers and surveys from 161 probation officers employed by five agencies, hierarchical linear models were used to identify the features of supervision processes that are most important to reduce recidivism. The findings clarify that no one evidence-based supervision feature (i.e., a validated risk and need assessment tool, case planning, treatment, compliance management, etc.) can achieve recidivism reductions. The best results can be achieved by using all features, although a risk-based case management approach that prioritizes employment and/or reducing the criminogenic needs creates similar outcomes. This article discusses the implications of prioritizing which supervision processes are used to impact positive supervision outcomes.