There is much work to be done in preparing social work managers with the competencies necessary to meet the leadership challenges of the future. Social work management, like many other institutions, is experiencing a leadership gap as many current human services managers/administrators are planning on retiring in the coming years while those social work managers who would be logical choices to fill these vacating positions are either also approaching retirement age, or insufficiently prepared for management roles.
The Network for Social Work Management’s competencies can assist those who are preparing for management and leadership in human services agencies and thereby provide organizations with capable and effective social work managers.
The competencies were initially drafted based on an extensive review of the management literature, field surveys, focus groups and reviews by experts in the field. This set of competencies was then vetted by practicing managers through a survey followed by input from senior thought leaders in management and leadership. A revised set of competencies was again reviewed over a two-day summit with senior
managers and several NSWM board members with extensive input and feedback incorporated.
The current set of competencies has been thoroughly reviewed and revised, and includes citations that offer evidence in support of the management competencies. This is intended to be a ‘‘living document’’ that evolves over time to meet the changing needs of organizational management in the social work profession. The work on the next revision began in 2024 and and an updated set of competencies will be published in early 2025.
Self assessment is the key to more targeted professional development. The Human Service Management Competencies is also available as a guidebook for professionals which details competencies, along with performance indicators, which are necessary for the successful management of both public and private nonprofit organizations.
The guidebook provides the framework to four domains: Executive Leadership, Resource Management, Strategic Management and Community Collaboration. Each framework is described in detail and a checklist is provided for self-assessment. The guidebook is a professional development tool that allows you to gauge your current skill-set by providing you with key indicators on where you can improve.
This guidebook also offers a supervisor’s assessment portion that professionals can use to garner feedback from their managers. The checklist can also be used by organizations to identify criteria for selecting and developing managers.
Download the guidebook today or contact info@socialworkmanager.org
