Guidebook: Human Service Management Competencies for Social Workers

Social workers and allied professionals need access to best practices on managing public and private service organizations. In 2018, the Network for Social Work Management (NSWM) composed and released a guidebook (2018) of human service management competencies that every experienced and academically trained social worker should know for the successful management of both public and private nonprofit organizations.

• For Professionals, the guidebook provides the framework to four domains: Executive Leadership, Resource Management, Strategic Management and Community Collaboration.
• For University Staff, the guidebook offers a curriculum check-list (coursework, field education, and other educational opportunities) to ensure that social work (MSW) programs offer leadership development for students and professionals.

From the NSWM website:

"These are not intended to be minimum competencies, but are descriptions of the level of practice that are expected of experienced and academically trained professionals. Social workers practicing management at any level are encouraged to review these competencies, making use of the Self-Assessment form available through the Network office, to determine their own skill level and to develop an individual plan for upgrading their management performance."

As a MSW graduate who specialized in management and community practice, these competencies would help professionals, universities, and even state licensing boards develop uniform practice standards for human service management. While prominent organizations such as NSWM and ACOSA (Association for Community Organization and Social Administration) exist to assist macro-practice social workers, more information is needed to better prepare social workers for careers in nonprofit and public management. Many social workers enter the field without considering management as an option. Click here to explore and download the guidebook.