Balancing the delivery of meaningful, client-centred services with the financial and contractual realities of today’s social service sector is an ongoing challenge. Agencies are expected to do more with less, all while maintaining high standards of care and accountability.
A unique tension arises when frontline professionals, known for their dedication to clients, are promoted into management roles — often without formal training in leadership, financial oversight, or strategic resource management. As a result, new managers may struggle to align their passion for service with the organizational demands of sustainability.
This webinar explores the paradox of leadership in community-based social services and introduces practical strategies for bridging the gap. Participants will learn key skills required for new managers, including effective resource allocation, administrative oversight, and how to professionally develop and support their teams — all while keeping clients at the heart of their practice.
By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:
- Identify the challenges involved in balancing the double bottom line of client-centered care and financial sustainability in social services.
- Define the key roles and core competencies essential for effective middle management in community-based organizations.
- Recognize how the parallel processes of the quality assurance cycle and the client service cycle impact overall organizational performance.
About our presenter:
With over 30 years of experience in the community-based social services sector, Chris Burt brings a deep and diverse understanding of the field from frontline work in staffed homes and hospital systems to outreach, child welfare, therapeutic services, family counselling, and parenting education. For the past 15 years, he has held senior leadership roles and currently serve as the Executive Director of a dynamic social service agency with more than 500 employees.
His academic background includes a master’s degree in counselling psychology and a postgraduate credential in Organizational Leadership. Chris is passionate about building resilient teams, fostering psychologically safe workplaces, and driving meaningful, person-centered service delivery across systems.