Observation Tool for Continuous Improvement

Practitioners and supervisors have jointly agreed on the competency area which the practitioner is looking to enhance. This tool is utilized to observe and document strengths and opportunities of the practitioner within the identified competency area. For example, if the competency area identified in the practitioner’s learning plan is Engagement, their supervisor will observe them with a family and document feedback regarding the practitioner’s utilization of the Touchpoints™ approach. (See reverse side for a sample of completed form with this scenario.)

Practitioner being observed: / Observer:
Date of Observation: / Type of Observation:
Observed Strengths in Competency Area:
Additional Opportunities to Build on Competency Area:
Other Feedback:
Next Steps (to be completed in collaboration with practitioner/observer):
Observer’s Signature: / Date:
Practitioner’s Signature: / Date:
Feedback Shared Verbally? Y or N

eDOCS 124940

Sample Completed Observation Tool for Continuous Improvement

Practitioner being observed: Pat Jones / Observer: Lee Smith
Date of Observation: 02/10/2012 / Type of Observation: home visit with mother and child
Observed Strengths in Competency Area:
·  Utilized the behavior of the child as the language: several examples observed
o  “Look how her eyes follow you around the room.”
o  “Look at how she holds herself up by using the sofa.”
·  Supported mother’s mastery: “Wow. She really settles right down when you hold her like that.”
·  Was willing to discuss matters beyond traditional role: Although the appointment was to conduct the ASQ3 on the child, the practitioner practiced active listening when mother was discussing her financial concerns
Additional Opportunities to Build on Competency Area:
After mother shared meaning about the child holding herself up by using the couch by saying, “She thought she’d skip crawling and move to walking,” practitioner missed an opportunity to ask reflective questions about the impact the child’s mobility will have on the relationship and offer anticipatory guidance to explore whether or not the mother has thought about a safety plan
Other Feedback:
Practitioner continues to build on skills and implement the Touchpoints™ Approach. Although this observation was focused on identifying Touchpoints™ opportunities, the observer also recognized the practitioner engaging with the client by utilizing concepts from the Bridges Out of Poverty training. For example, when mother was discussing her financial concerns, observer noted that practitioner took a relationship-based approach instead of operating from the middle class achievement-based approach. Observer also noted some use of the Solution Focused Approach when discussing what has worked before for this mother and child regarding waking up in the middle of the night. This is also an example of Touchpoints™ Anticipatory Guidance.
Next Steps (to be completed in collaboration with practitioner/observer):
Practitioner will continue to practice implementing Touchpoints and will attend the Reflective Practice session scheduled at CSC in March.
Observer’s Signature: Lee Smith / Date: 02/11/12
Practitioner’s Signature: Pat Jones / Date: 02/11/12
Feedback Shared Verbally? Y or N 02/11/12