1172 Social services managers and directors

In short

• ONS unit group 1172, in minor group 117 (Health and social services managers and directors) and major group 1 (Managers, directors and senior officials).
• Appendix Skilled Occupations (figures as at 3 August 2026, re-checked 26 October 2026): On the list: Table 1, Table 2.
• Going rate as the tables print it:
  • Table 1, Going rate (SW – options A and D): £43,000 (£22.05 per hour)
  • Table 2, Going rate (SW – options F and I, GBM and SCU): £33,100 (£16.97 per hour)

What the ONS says

Description

Social services managers and directors plan, organise, direct and co-ordinate the resources and commission the services necessary to protect the welfare of certain groups within local authorities including children and young people, families under stress, people with disabilities, elderly people and people needing help as a result of illness.

Typical entry routes

Entry is usually through internal promotion for those with the appropriate professional qualifications and relevant experience. Post-qualifying professional qualifications and in-service training are available.

Tasks

• provides leadership and management to ensure services are delivered in accordance with statutory requirements and in line with the local authority social services department’s policies and procedures
• determines staffing, financial, material and other short and long-term needs
• plans work schedules, assigns tasks and delegates responsibilities of social services staff
• monitors and evaluates departmental performance with a view to improving social service provision
• studies and advises upon changes in legislation that will impact upon social service provision
• liaises with representatives of other relevant agencies

Related job titles

• Children's centre manager
• Commissioner (local government: social services)
• Community services manager
• Service manager (welfare services)
• Social work manager

What the Appendix Skilled Occupations says

The Appendix lists this code in the tables below, with the tables’ own caption and the row as printed. Read the full table, and any condition in it, on GOV.UK.

Table 1: Eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes and related going rates based on median Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) data

SOC 2020 occupation code

1172 Social services managers and directors

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Social services managers and directors

Going rate (SW – options A and D)

£43,000 (£22.05 per hour)

90% of going rate (SW – option B)

£38,700 (£19.85 per hour)

80% of going rate (SW – option C)

£34,400 (£17.64 per hour)

70% of going rate (SW – option E)

£33,400 (£17.13 per hour)

Eligible for PhD points (SW)?

Yes

Table 2: Eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes and related going rates based on 25th percentile Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) data

SOC 2020 occupation code

1172 Social services managers and directors

Equivalent SOC 2010 occupation code(s)

1184, 1242

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Social services managers and directors

Going rate (SW – options F and I, GBM and SCU)

£33,100 (£16.97 per hour)

90% of going rate (SW – option G)

£29,800 (£15.28 per hour)

80% of going rate (SW – option H)

£26,500 (£13.59 per hour)

70% of going rate (SW – option J, GTR)

£25,000 (£12.82 per hour)

Eligible for PhD points (SW)?

Yes

Other unit groups in minor group 117

• 1171 Health services and public health managers and directors

Sources

Occupation text: Office for National Statistics, SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions of unit groups (file dated 27 August 2026, version V13). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Open Government Licence v3.0. Tables: Home Office, Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations on GOV.UK, page updated 3 August 2026; re-checked against the page updated 8 October 2026 on 26 October 2026, tables unchanged.

All 412 occupation codes

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