Service manager

Service managers oversee the performance and quality of practice of multiple teams of social workers across a service area.

Senior managers

Service managers are also referred to as:

As a service manager you’ll:

oversee and lead social work teams to ensure effective service delivery
manage team resources including caseloads, staffing and budgets
monitor and evaluate service outcomes and identify areas to improve outcomes for children and families
work closely with external partners to develop policies and ensure coordinated service delivery
work with senior managers to set the strategic direction of the service
support social workers to ensure their supervision, training and well-being needs are met
carry out recruitment and performance management
report on service performance and develop improvement plans
carry out audits to ensure services are compliant and delivered to a high standard

You'll need:

strong leadership and management skills to motivate and inspire teams of social workers
knowledge of relevant legislation, national policies and best practice guidelines
strategic thinking to drive service improvement and achieve organisational goals
knowledge of budgeting, resource allocation and financial management
experience of supporting professional development across teams
the ability to monitor, evaluate and manage performance to ensure quality service provision
strong organisational skills to manage multiple priorities and deadlines

To become a service manager, you must have:

been practising as a qualified and registered child and family social worker for a significant time
leadership and management experience in a social work setting

With experience you could:

progress into an advanced leadership role such as head of service, assistant director or director of children's services
move into a training and consultancy role and deliver training programmes to social workers
become an expert in your specialist area of social work practice
complete the DCS leadership programme for aspirant directors to help you prepare you to progress to a director of children’s services role

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Next page: Head of service

These resources have been developed by Department for Education.
Published: 18 September 2023
Last updated: 21 November 2025