IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/cysrev/v174y2025ics0190740925002051.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

What factors impact transfer of learning in child welfare: A scoping review

Author

Listed:
  • Gopalan, Geetha
  • DePanfilis, Diane
  • Kaye-Tzadok, Avital
  • Deas, Kerry M.

Abstract

Despite extensive financial investments made in training child welfare professionals (e.g., caseworkers, supervisors, administrators, clinicians working with families involved in child welfare services), there remain significant challenges to ensure that child welfare professionals apply the skills learned in training to daily practice, a process known as Transfer of Learning (ToL). To date, little is known about what characteristics and strategies enhance ToL within child welfare contexts. Consequently, this scoping review synthesizes published information on methodological characteristics of ToL studies published from 1998 to 2020, ToL definitions and assessment strategies, as well as factors (individual characteristics, organizational factors, training/reinforcement strategies) that influence ToL within child welfare contexts. Systematic review procedures yielded N = 21 studies, representing n = 17 unique projects, which were included for data extraction and qualitative synthesis utilizing a descriptive analytic framework. Findings identify a range of designs, but few (n = 4) studies utilized rigorous methodology (i.e., RCTs) that would allow for clear determination of causality. Most studies relied on participant self-reports to assess ToL and focused on training related to engagement, interviewing, assessment, developing service plans, and decision-making skills. Individual characteristics associated with enhancing ToL included learning readiness, attitude towards training, trainee motivation, and perceived ability. Organizational characteristics facilitating ToL included management/supervisory support and organizational culture that promotes continuous learning. Successful training and reinforcement strategies included post-training case consultation and group coaching, immediate feedback following live supervision and simulated scenarios, role plays, video examples, and feedback on practice recordings. Recommendations for future research include utilizing rigorous methodological designs and objective ToL assessment strategies. Findings suggest several strategies that can be integrated into practice before, during, and after training to maximize ToL. Finally, policies and funding for training child welfare professionals should consider provisions to promote modifiable individual and organizational characteristics, as well as the training/reinforcement strategies identified in this review.

Suggested Citation

  • Gopalan, Geetha & DePanfilis, Diane & Kaye-Tzadok, Avital & Deas, Kerry M., 2025. "What factors impact transfer of learning in child welfare: A scoping review," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 174(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:174:y:2025:i:c:s0190740925002051
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2025.108322
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0190740925002051
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.childyouth.2025.108322?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Crea, Thomas M. & Crampton, David S., 2011. "The context of program implementation and evaluation: A pilot study of interorganizational differences to improve child welfare reform efforts," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(11), pages 2273-2281.
    2. Ahn, Haksoon & Keyser, Daniel & Hayward-Everson, R. Anna, 2016. "A multi-level analysis of individual and agency effects on implementation of family-centered practice in child welfare," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 11-18.
    3. Futris, Ted G. & Schramm, David G. & Richardson, Evin W. & Lee, Tae Kyoung, 2015. "The impact of organizational support on the transfer of learning to practice," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 36-43.
    4. Agner, Joy & Barile, John P. & Chandler, Susan M. & Berry, Marianne, 2020. "Innovation in child welfare: Factors affecting adoption of empirically supported interventions," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    5. Curry, Dale & McCarragher, Timothy & Dellmann-Jenkins, Mary, 2005. "Training, transfer, and turnover: Exploring the relationship among transfer of learning factors and staff retention in child welfare," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 27(8), pages 931-948, August.
    6. Antle, Becky F. & Frey, Shannon E. & Sar, Bibhuti K. & Barbee, Anita P. & van Zyl, Michiel A., 2010. "Training the child welfare workforce in healthy couple relationships: An examination of attitudes and outcomes," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(2), pages 223-230, February.
    7. Hennink, Monique & Kaiser, Bonnie N., 2022. "Sample sizes for saturation in qualitative research: A systematic review of empirical tests," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 292(C).
    8. Forrester, Donald & Westlake, David & Killian, Mike & Antonopoulou, Vivi & McCann, Michelle & Thurnham, Angela & Thomas, Roma & Waits, Charlotte & Whittaker, Charlotte & Hutchison, Dougal, 2018. "A randomized controlled trial of training in Motivational Interviewing for child protection," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 180-190.
    9. Liu, Junqing & Smith, Brenda D., 2011. "Transferring training to child welfare practice: Individual and collective efforts," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(1), pages 149-156, January.
    10. Antle, Becky F. & Barbee, Anita P. & van Zyl, Michiel A., 2008. "A comprehensive model for child welfare training evaluation," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 30(9), pages 1063-1080, September.
    11. Akin, Becci A., 2016. "Practitioner views on the core functions of coaching in the implementation of an evidence-based intervention in child welfare," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 159-168.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Jesse Chandler, "undated". "Technical Appendix: Considerations for Measuring T/TA Performance," Mathematica Policy Research Reports 4a1a00e145df4090b5e1f6e63, Mathematica Policy Research.
    2. Futris, Ted G. & Schramm, David G. & Richardson, Evin W. & Lee, Tae Kyoung, 2015. "The impact of organizational support on the transfer of learning to practice," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 36-43.
    3. Arnold, Amy Laura & Richardson, Evin W. & Cenizal, Robyn, 2016. "Ready or not: The influence of readiness on healthy marriage and relationship education training outcomes," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 67-73.
    4. Liu, Junqing & Smith, Brenda D., 2011. "Transferring training to child welfare practice: Individual and collective efforts," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(1), pages 149-156, January.
    5. Antle, Becky F. & Frey, Shannon E. & Sar, Bibhuti K. & Barbee, Anita P. & van Zyl, Michiel A., 2010. "Training the child welfare workforce in healthy couple relationships: An examination of attitudes and outcomes," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(2), pages 223-230, February.
    6. Coll, Kenneth M. & Stewart, Roger A. & Day, Alexander & Scholl, Stacey & Hauser, Nicole, 2022. "Evaluating an innovative integrated training for child and youth services: Lessons learned," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    7. Yankeelov, Pamela A. & Barbee, Anita P. & Sullivan, Dana & Antle, Becky F., 2009. "Individual and organizational factors in job retention in Kentucky's child welfare agency," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(5), pages 547-554, May.
    8. Radey, Melissa & Stanley, Lauren, 2019. "Beginning the “never-ending” learning process: Training experiences of newly-hired child welfare workers," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 1-1.
    9. Gülüm Özer & İdil Işık & Jordi Escartín, 2024. "Is There Somebody Looking out for Me? A Qualitative Analysis of Bullying Experiences of Individuals Diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(2), pages 1-22, January.
    10. Júlio Belo Fernandes & Diana Vareta & Sónia Fernandes & Ana Silva Almeida & Dina Peças & Noélia Ferreira & Liliana Roldão, 2022. "Rehabilitation Workforce Challenges to Implement Person-Centered Care," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-9, March.
    11. Chikako Ishizuka & Kei Aoki, 2024. "Drivers of sustained brand engagement: cases of long-term customers of hedonic and utilitarian brands in Japan," Journal of Marketing Analytics, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 12(4), pages 979-989, December.
    12. Osborne, Cynthia & Huffman, Jennifer & Caldera, Selena & Lipton Galbraith, Anna, 2020. "The influence of field-based training on caseworker turnover," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 108(C).
    13. Dunkerley, Stacy & Brown, Amanda & Akin, Becci & McArthur, Vickie, 2024. "Honoring Family: Using parent partner expertise to strengthen a child welfare coaching program," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 159(C).
    14. Reem Mohamed Gouda & Yasser Tawfik Halim, 2025. "The role of sustainable social media content in enhancing customer loyalty in the hospitality industry," Future Business Journal, Springer, vol. 11(1), pages 1-26, December.
    15. Nurul Hidayana Mohd Noor & Amirah Mohamad Fuzi & Nurin Farzana Mohamad Fadzil & Afief El Ashfahany, 2025. "Measuring Financial Management and Bankability of Small Business Mumpreneurs through Triangulation Study," Information Management and Business Review, AMH International, vol. 17(1), pages 328-341.
    16. Syazuin Sazali & Rozina Muzaffar & Maya Lestari Muchtar & Najibah Binti Yasin, 2025. "From Aspirations to Decisions: A Biographical Study on Factors Influencing Postgraduate Students’ Choices of HEI in Malaysia," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 9(1), pages 5092-5109, January.
    17. Hall, Julie & Hawkins, Olivia & Montgomery, Amy & Singh, Saniya & Mullan, Judy & Degeling, Chris, 2022. "Dismantling antibiotic infrastructures in residential aged care: The invisible work of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS)," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 305(C).
    18. Hossam Mohamed Elhamy & Maha Abdulmajeed, 2023. "Arab Media Researchers’ Perceptions of Factors Affecting Their Research Problem Selection," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(3), pages 21582440231, September.
    19. Strand, Virginia C. & Spath, Robin & Bosco-Ruggiero, Stephanie, 2010. "So you have a stable child welfare workforce -- What's next?," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(3), pages 338-345, March.
    20. Trisha Dalapati & Emily J Alway & Sneha Mantri & Phillip Mitchell & Ian A George & Samantha Kaplan & Kathryn M Andolsek & J Matthew Velkey & Jennifer Lawson & Andrew J Muzyk, 2024. "Development of a curricular thread to foster medical students’ critical reflection and promote action on climate change, health, and equity," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 19(5), pages 1-14, May.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:174:y:2025:i:c:s0190740925002051. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/childyouth .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.