A Quantitative Analysis of Perceived Leadership Practices in Child Welfare Organizations

This quantitative study contributes to leadership knowledge in the field of child welfare organizations by investigating the perceived leadership in the Division of Child and Family Services. Findings indicated significant difference in leadership practice ratings between caseworkers and administrators and also that perceptions of all five leadership practices were different between caseworkers and organizational leaders. The greatest difference between leaders and followers was in the perception of encouraging the heart. Encouraging the heart also presented the greatest variability among caseworkers, indicating a wide variance in how encouragement is experienced and perceived by caseworkers. These findings contribute to implications for social work education and child welfare practice.