Occupation
Social services case manager
Case managers hold a caseload of clients and keep each person's plan moving across the services they need. Rather than delivering therapy or care directly, the job is assessment, referral, chasing other agencies, and documenting what was agreed and what actually happened. Much of the day is spent on the phone, in shared systems, and in review meetings.
Also known as: Case manager · Human services case manager · Client services coordinator · Care coordinator
Occupation content
Part of Community, social and public services
What the work involves
- Assess new referrals and agree goals, supports, and review dates with the client
- Match clients to internal programmes and external agencies, then track the referrals
- Maintain accurate case files, consent records, and service documentation
- Chase partner services for updates and resolve gaps or duplication in a client's plan
- Run scheduled reviews and adjust or close plans based on progress and eligibility
- Flag safeguarding concerns and escalate cases that exceed the service's remit
How people commonly enter
- A college diploma in social service work, human services, or community services
- A bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, sociology, or a related field for roles with clinical or statutory content
- Progression from a frontline support, intake, or administrative role within the same agency, with on-the-job case management training
Typical training: Varies by employer or jurisdiction
Licensing: Certification common, not usually required
Typical work context
Team based · Public facing · Desk based · Varied work · Hybrid office
Related interests
Social (helping) · Conventional (organizing) · Enterprising (leading)
Related aptitude preparation
These are preparation links only. They do not measure eligibility for this occupation and no score here qualifies or disqualifies anyone.
Skills to practise
- Case analysis
- Situational judgment
- Planning and scheduling exercises
- Reading comprehension
- Data checking and clerical accuracy
Practice suites
Related learning
Family-level learning links for Community, social and public services.
Official sources
Labour-market facts such as pay and employment projections are not reproduced here. Open an official source below for figures, with its own geography and reference period.
- O*NET OnLine — occupation search: social and human service assistant · United States
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- UK National Careers Service — Social worker job profile · United Kingdom
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- Canada Job Bank — Career planning and occupation exploration (ESDC) · Canada
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Labour-market context (not part of exploration match)
This is broad family-level context for Community, social and public services in Canada, not a figure for Social services case manager. It does not affect matching scores and is not an eligibility determination.
This is a broad Community, social and public services family. Explore the official profile for the chosen occupation; entry education and training can differ within the family.
Canada Job Bank Career Planning · Canada · Current official profile; consult source for its release period
Community, social and public services: education pathways
Some roles in Community, social and public services may be regulated. Confirm whether the specific role requires registration, certification, or a jurisdiction-specific licence.
Canada Job Bank Career Planning · Canada · Current official profile; consult source for its release period
Community, social and public services: licensing
Find jobs
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- Search Canada Job Bank · Canada
- Search USAJOBS · United States federal
- Search EURES · European Union / EEA
- Search Indeed · International (choose location on Indeed)