Booking options
£1,599

£1,599
On-Demand course
12 months
All levels
Leadership and Management for Adult Social Work – (Accredited)
Overview
Advance your leadership career in social work with our advanced course in Leadership and Management for Social Work. This comprehensive online CPD-accredited programme (30 CPD hours) is designed specifically for qualified social workers who are current managers or aspiring to management and leadership roles across social work settings.
The course equips you with the strategic, ethical and people-management skills required to lead teams effectively, manage professional accountability, support staff wellbeing, and drive high-quality, reflective practice. Delivered fully online and self-paced, the diploma combines leadership theory with real-world application, ensuring learning is directly transferable to professional practice.
Accredited by CPD Group UK, this diploma supports professional development, leadership progression, and ongoing CPD requirements, while strengthening confidence, decision-making and professional judgement as a social work leader.
Course Content
The course consists of 15 in-depth online modules, each structured with detailed lessons, reflective learning activities, applied case studies and end-of-module knowledge checks. The programme totals approximately 30 hours of guided learning.
Key themes include:
Leadership styles and self-awareness in social work
Strategic leadership, planning and service development
Governance, law, ethics and professional accountability
Managing and developing the social work workforce
Professional supervision, coaching and reflective practice
Safeguarding leadership and risk management
Equality, diversity and inclusive leadership
Communication, conflict resolution and inter-professional working
Quality assurance, audit and continuous improvement
Information management, recording and confidentiality
Managing change and organisational development
Health, safety and wellbeing in social work settings
Staff resilience, supervision and trauma-informed leadership
Reflective leadership case studies
Leadership portfolio development and future CPD planning
Each module is grounded in social work values, professional standards and leadership competencies, with realistic leadership scenarios and reflective prompts to support critical thinking and application to practice.
Key Features
Accreditation: CPD Group UK accredited (30 CPD hours)
Flexible Online Learning: 100% online, self-paced study. Complete in approximately 8–12 weeks, with up to 12 months access
Profession-Specific Content: Designed for qualified social workers, aligned to leadership and management responsibilities in social work
Expert Tutor Support: Ongoing tutor support from experienced social work professionals
Applied Learning: Case studies, reflective exercises and leadership scenarios drawn from real social work management contexts
Assessment: No exams. Assessment through short module quizzes and a final reflective leadership portfolio
Certification: Leadership and Management for Social Work (CPD Certificate issued on completion)
Who Is This Course For?
This course is ideal for:
Qualified social workers who are current team leaders, supervisors or managers
Aspiring social work managers preparing for leadership responsibilities
Senior practitioners seeking to transition into management roles
Practice supervisors or advanced practitioners leading staff or services
Social work professionals seeking structured CPD in leadership, governance and workforce management
The course is suitable across local authority, voluntary, independent and community social work settings.
Entry Requirements
Learners must be aged 19 or over
Must be a qualified social worker (or equivalent professional qualification)
Good standard of written and spoken English
Access to a computer or internet-enabled device
Career Progression
Completion of this advanced course supports progression into leadership and management roles within social work, including:
Social Work Team Manager
Practice Supervisor
Service or Operational Manager
Senior Practitioner / Advanced Social Worker
Professional Lead roles (e.g. quality, workforce development, safeguarding leadership)
The qualification also supports progression to advanced leadership training (Level 7), postgraduate study, or senior leadership development programmes.
How to Enrol
Enrolment is open year-round – start anytime. Flexible payment plans are available, and employer/group bookings can be discussed. Once enrolled, learners receive immediate access to the e-learning platform and can begin studying straight away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this course accredited? Yes. This advanced course in Leadership and Management for Social Work is CPD Group UK accredited and provides 30 CPD hours, which can be used to evidence ongoing professional development.
Who is this course designed for? This course is designed for qualified social workers who are current managers, team leaders, practice supervisors, or aspiring to leadership roles within social work. The content focuses on social work leadership and management.
Do I need to be in a management role to enrol? No. You do not need to currently hold a management position. The course is suitable for aspiring managers and senior practitioners preparing for leadership responsibilities, as well as those already in management roles.
Is this qualification regulated? This is a CPD-accredited professional qualification, not an Ofqual-regulated diploma. It is designed for continuing professional development, leadership capability and career progression.
How is the course delivered? The course is 100% online and self-paced. You can study at a time and pace that suits you, making it ideal for working professionals.
How long does the course take to complete? The course provides approximately 30 hours of guided learning. Most learners complete it in 8–12 weeks, but you will have up to 12 months access to complete the course if needed.
How am I assessed? There are no exams. Assessment consists of short knowledge-check quizzes at the end of modules and a final reflective leadership portfolio, where you apply learning to practice. All assessment is practical and reflective.
Will I receive tutor support? Yes. You will have access to experienced tutors with a background in social work leadership. Tutors provide guidance and feedback on your reflective portfolio to support your development.
Does this course meet Social Work England CPD requirements? Yes. The course is suitable for Social Work England CPD evidence. You can log your learning and reflections as part of your CPD record.
Is this course suitable if I work outside local authority social work? Yes. The course is applicable across local authority, voluntary, independent and community social work settings, as it focuses on leadership, governance, supervision, quality and workforce development.
Will this course help me progress my career? Yes. The diploma supports progression into roles such as Social Work Team Manager, Practice Supervisor, Service or Operational Manager, and Senior or Advanced Social Worker. It also supports progression to Level 7 leadership training or postgraduate study.
What certificate will I receive? On successful completion, you will receive a certificate in Leadership and Management for Social Work and a CPD Group UK Certificate confirming 30 CPD hours.
When can I start? You can start immediately. Enrolment is open year-round.
Are payment plans available? Yes. Flexible payment options are available. Employer-funded and group enrolments can also be arranged.
How do I enrol? Simply enrol online via our website. Once registered, you'll receive login details and can begin learning straight away.
What makes this course different from other management courses? This course is specifically tailored for social work leadership, includes real-world case studies from social work settings, and focuses on the unique challenges of social work management and professional accountability.
