Social services manager
Social services managers plan and co-ordinate the health, welfare and social care support provided by local authorities and charities.
Also known as: Service manager, service development manager
- Starter salary£35,000 a year
- Experienced£65,000 a year
- Typical hours38 to 40 a week
What you'll do
As a social services manager, you could:
- develop strategies and policies
- manage a team of senior staff and support their development
- plan staff and resource requirements
- manage finances and control budgets
- monitor and improve service provision
- manage changes to services and how they're provided
- analyse service data to identify areas for improvement and for reports
- work closely with other agencies
- negotiate contracts and buy in services from outside providers
Working environment
You could work in the community or in an office.
Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
- sensitivity and understanding
- the ability to work well with others
- leadership skills
- the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
- business management skills
- customer service skills
- the ability to organise your time and workload
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
How to become a social services manager
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- applying directly
University
You could do a degree or postgraduate qualification before applying for a management trainee place with a local authority. Most subjects are accepted, though you may have an advantage with a qualification in:
- social work
- mental health nursing
- public health policy
- health and social care
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
- a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course
College
You could learn some of the skills you need for this job through a related college course like health and social care management.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
Apprenticeship
You could apply to do a Children, Young People and Families Practitioner Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship, then do further on-the-job training.
You could also do a Social Worker Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship to get a trainee manager's position.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
Direct application
You'll need several years' management experience and a relevant qualification like health and social care management to apply for job vacancies directly.
Employers will expect you to have a clear understanding of legislation, safety standards and social policy for your chosen field.
Restrictions and requirements
You'll need to:
- pass enhanced background checks
A driving licence will be useful.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could specialise in a particular area, like mental health or children's services.
You could also become a head of service, chief executive, assistant director or director of social services.
Registration
- you'll need to register with Social Work England
Guides for this industry
Related roles
- Job roleSocial worker
- Job roleSocial work assistant
- Job roleChild protection officer
- Job roleProbation officer
- Job roleCare home manager
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0