What Does the Simulation Experience Look Like?

• Realistic Scenarios of Child Welfare Interactions
• Onsite Simulation Environments and Participants
• Debriefing and Feedback
• Virtual Simulation

Realistic Scenarios of Child Welfare Interactions

While simulation training may look different in different places, a common thread is to create realistic scenarios of child welfare work. For example, a simulation lab may mimic:

• An investigator’s first knock on the door of a family’s home in response to a report of suspected child maltreatment (watch “Practicing in a Safe Space”)
• An interview with medical personnel to discuss physical evidence in a case (watch “A Medical Sim Lab”)
• A presentation of findings in family court (watch “A Court Sim Lab”)

Onsite, in-person simulation supports powerful interactions and experiential learning that feels real.

• Simulation environments—whether a rented house, an auditorium stage, or a hotel room—are typically filled with objects that evoke a child welfare worker’s experience.
• Settings can be tailored to the surrounding communities.
• The roles of families and community partners may be played by actors, trainers, medical professionals, former or current judges and attorneys, or others who respond to verbal and nonverbal communication.

Watch “Home Environment” to learn more about creating realistic home settings.

Debriefing and receiving feedback are a critical part of the simulation learning experience. During an onsite debrief, trainers and participants can stop and examine what is happening at key moments:

• How did the family member respond to the investigator’s energy or an inadvertent eye roll?
• Did something in the environment serve as a trigger to the participant?
• Did the participant miss important questions?

Watch “Debriefing and Feedback” to learn more.

Virtual simulation in a digital environment can serve as an alternative to in-person, onsite simulation. Participants can complete practice scenarios and receive feedback on devices, multiple times if needed, without travel. For a virtual reality sample, watch the “Virtual Home Simulation video” from the University of Utah College of Social Work. To learn more, listen to Child Welfare Information Gateway’s virtual reality podcast.