Leadership role
Director of Social Services
Directs an organization's social work and case management services for clients, patients or residents.
Reporting and scope
Reports to the Chief Program Officer, Director of Programs or, in health settings, an administrator or Director of Nursing. Authority covers social work and case management staff in one facility or service line.
Core responsibilities
- Supervises social workers and case managers, including licensure and clinical supervision requirements
- Sets intake, assessment, care planning and discharge procedures
- Connects clients to public benefits, housing and community resources
- Keeps casework in line with state licensing, Medicaid and accreditation standards
- Manages caseloads, documentation quality and outcome reporting to government funders
- Handles complex cases, grievances and mandated reporting
How it differs
The Director of Clinical Services oversees treatment and therapy staff, while this role focuses on case management, benefits and discharge planning. The Director of Programs runs the full program portfolio, not only social work.
By organization size
In a single nursing home or shelter the director may carry a caseload. In large human service agencies or hospital systems the role manages several supervisors across sites.
Filings from the last five years mapped to this role commonly report titles such as: Director of Social Services; Dir. of Social Services; Social Services Director