In areas such as social services, health care, education, and mental health, social workers deliver critical services. Leaders in social work ensure that these services reach clients efficiently and effectively.
Successful leaders in social work share key characteristics. They bring professional expertise to their roles, and they apply critical social work skills to support their clients and communities. Graduate programs in social work help leaders develop these skills. Earning a doctorate in social work can build the hard and soft skills that leaders in social work need to succeed in executive-level roles.
Social Work Leader Job Duties
Social workers advocate for marginalized communities, provide therapy to clients, and connect families with social services programs. Leaders in the field supervise other social workers, manage community services programs, and lead teams that improve people’s lives.
Common responsibilities of social work leaders include the following:
- Implementing and managing programs that serve clients
- Conducting research on program effectiveness and outcomes
- Managing and evaluating social services staff, including social workers
- Prioritizing social work values and professional ethics
- Building a supportive and culturally aware work environment
Job titles for social work leaders can include clinical supervisor, social services director, social work manager, and program manager. To succeed, social work leaders need a mix of both hard and soft skills. Leadership roles in social work may require a graduate degree and a clinical social worker license.
4 Social Work Hard Skills for Leaders
Taking on leadership responsibilities requires specialized knowledge and skills. For example, leaders in social work need hard skills, such as the ability to design effective programs and research program outcomes.
Social workers can develop these skills in graduate-level social work programs and through professional experience.
1. Policy Advocacy
Leaders in social work connect communities with stakeholders to advocate for policies that meet the community’s needs.
To effectively implement new policies, social workers must consider cultural factors, partner with communities, and build alliances to meet common goals. They also need to understand the failings of current policies to advocate for policy changes.
Successful policy advocacy requires an understanding of resource management, policy development, the legislative process, and service delivery. Social workers draw on their analytical, research, and problem-solving skills to effectively advocate for policies.
2. Program Design and Implementation
Leaders in social work play an important role in designing and implementing new programs. This process requires program feasibility assessments, financial resource evaluation, and design planning. In the implementation stage, social workers monitor the rollout to ensure that programs meet their intended needs.
Social work program design and evaluation require strong analytical abilities because stakeholders often rely on leaders in social work to assess impact and recommend changes.
3. Services Outcome Research
Evaluating the outcomes of social work services allows leaders in social work to refine their approach and improve service delivery.
At the individual level, outcome research can include setting goals for clients and monitoring their progress. At the program level, research assesses the impact of programs to understand which interventions may require modifications. Outcome assessment provides a framework to measure progress toward goals and client outcomes.
Data collection, analysis, and evaluation are all key components of this social work skill. Outcome research is particularly important for leaders in social work in grant-funded organizations that report to stakeholders.
4. Program Management
Social work program management requires specific leadership skills. In particular, project management and organizational skills help social workers oversee daily operations and manage staffing needs.
Program management skills also include strategic planning and performance assessment. An understanding of needs assessment, financial management, and resource management benefits program managers in social work.
Leaders in social work may take on roles in nonprofit management or human services management.
4 Social Work Soft Skills for Leaders
Leaders in social work rely on more than their professional competencies to succeed; they also draw on soft skills such as communication to reach their objectives. Managing teams, building partnerships, and strengthening relationships with clients and communities requires the soft skills below.
1. Self-Awareness
Effective leaders in social work tend to have high emotional intelligence, including keen self-awareness. Self-awareness requires an understanding of power dynamics, cultural influences, and inclusive practices.
Social workers can improve their cultural competence and self-awareness by examining their own backgrounds as well as other cultural identities and beliefs. Cultivating respect and encouraging inclusivity helps leaders foster a welcoming work environment.
2. Communication
Communicating clearly with clients, team members, and other stakeholders is a critical soft skill for leaders in social work. Strong oral written, and nonverbal communication skills allow social workers to support clients, educate team members, and lead programs.
Strong communication skills begin with active listening. Leaders in social work who can build strong relationships through their compassion and communication skills can better achieve their goals.
3. Mentorship
Social workers in leadership roles often act as mentors to early career social workers, social work students, and other social services staff. Leaders can draw on their own experience working with mentors to build trusting, cooperative relationships with mentees.
A strong basis in social work ethics and values can help leaders become effective mentors.
4. Self-Care
Leadership roles in social work can be draining. Self-care practices allow social workers to manage their stress, maintain a healthy work-life balance, and support their teams.
Self-care prevents burnout and gives leaders the tools to show up for their clients and colleagues. Understanding their self-care needs can also help leaders support staff as they manage their own needs.
Develop Your Social Work Skills at Tulane School of Social Work
Are you ready to elevate your social work leadership skills? Tulane School of Social Work offers an Online Doctorate in Social Work that trains and empowers tomorrow’s social work leaders.
Doctoral students develop their advocacy, program design, and outcome evaluation skills through a curriculum that prepares graduates for executive-level positions. In addition to doctoral coursework on services outcome research, program and clinical evaluation, and nonprofit management, graduate students complete an advanced practice project that aligns with their professional goals.
Reach out to the School of Social Work today to find out how the doctoral program can help advance your career.