Scoping Review of Worker Characteristics and Competencies That Support Youth Engagement in Child Welfare Case Planning

Abstract

Youth engagement in case planning has garnered attention in recent years from scholars and practitioners alike due to its documented benefits for service recipients and providers. The authors conducted a scoping review to understand what is known about the competencies and characteristics that support child welfare workers to engage with youth. The 125 included articles revealed nine competencies for child welfare workers (partnering with youth, communication and listening skills, building trusting relationships, strength-based approach, prepare and inform youth, advocate for youth, knowledge of adolescent development, trauma-informed care, and cultural humility) and three characteristics (committed, flexibility, and self-awareness) that support successful youth engagement. The findings may be used to develop targeted competency-based recruitment, hiring, and training materials for child welfare workers and to inform new policy development.

Keywords

child welfare subjects of practice authentic engagement professional issues modes of practice partnership working alliance/client-worker relationship social workers public health and social work

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