Management must share this flexibility. Friedman et al. However, managers also need to be able to recognise when an approach is not working, and to provide guidance on when it is necessary to abandon or change direction. Provision of adequate support for outreach workers is clearly a key part of the manager's role. This support needs to cover not only regular supervision, but also aspects of training, safety at work, and provision of adequate back-up where necessary.
Training is important both at induction and on an on-going basis.
In addition to relevant formal courses and seminars, establishment of links with other outreach projects in the area and creating a network for exchange of experience may be an important way of enhancing workers' skills. Managers need to recognise the value of this and actively encourage outreach workers to set up a local forum. The safety issue is paramount. Outreach workers in Cardiff have as part of their work guidelines a rule that their safety must always take priority over other issues. In any situation where they feel uneasy or suspect that there are risks, the guideline is that they should withdraw, with the knowledge that management will fully support them on this.