Social workers and caseworkers face a wealth of challenges each and every day — from long hours and mountains of paperwork to emotional moments that can lead to stress. These aspects of the human services field contribute to high levels of burnout and attrition that can impact the level of care that people in the community receive.
Many human services programs that face high attrition rates and see a high percentage of burnout on their teams may be looking for solutions to this complicated challenge and it starts by finding the root causes. Human services programs may be asking — what are the causes of social worker burnout? NCT Inc. may be able to help answer your questions.
Top 6 Causes of Social Worker Burnout in Human Services
Burnout among social workers in human services is a common and complicated issue, with an estimated 75% of social workers experiencing symptoms of burnout at some point in their careers. This widespread issue is due to a combination of factors that lead to higher employee churn rates and attrition. Factors range from overwhelming workloads to a lack of support, and these elements contribute to the emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion that defines burnout for social work. In the end — these factors impact both the well-being of the social worker and the quality of care they can provide.
Here’s a closer look at the key causes of social worker burnout and a few possible solutions your human services program may be able to employ to minimize the impact they have:
1. Overwhelming Caseloads
A common cause of burnout is the sheer volume of cases social workers are expected to manage. Many social workers possess caseloads that exceed recommended guidelines and lead to a feeling of always being behind and an inability to dedicate sufficient time to their clients. Data has shown that social workers with larger caseloads are more likely to report high levels of stress and burnout, and feel immense pressure to own up to their responsibilities without the ability to fulfill them.
Solutions
- Implement caseload management tools within your document management system to balance assignments based on case complexity, not just numbers.
- Automate routine client communication, reminders, and data collection to free up time for high-priority, direct-service needs.
2. Emotional Stress
Social workers are exposed to the trauma and suffering of their clients each and every day, which can cause emotional strain and be manifested as vicarious trauma. This secondary trauma can be almost as debilitating as direct trauma, causing symptoms like anxiety, depression, and a diminished sense of accomplishment. Research indicates that up to 70% of social workers experience vicarious trauma, which highlights the emotional toll that can come from witnessing repeated client crises and hardship.
Solutions
- Use an internal portal to provide easy and confidential access to mental health resources, telehealth counseling services, and wellness programs to help social workers and caseworkers deal with emotional stress.
- Create peer-support groups or forums — digital or in person — moderated by a professional, to allow caseworkers to share experiences and coping strategies in a secure and confidential environment.
3. Excessive Paperwork and Red Tape
Beyond direct client interaction, social workers can get buried beneath a mountain of administrative tasks, forms, and bureaucratic hurdles. This excessive paperwork diverts valuable time and energy away from client care and can lead to frustration at the inefficiency. While essential for continuity of care and compliance, the sheer volume of documents can be overwhelming at times. This is where innovative solutions — like the NCT CaseWorks document management system — can help streamline processes and minimize the burden of administrative tasks.
Solutions
- Digitize all paper forms into a central DMS — like NCT CaseWorks — to eliminate redundant data entry and make files easily searchable.
- Equip caseworkers with mobile technology — tablets or apps — to help complete and file paperwork directly from the field, eliminating after-hours paperwork.
- Employ automated workflows to route documents for approval and reduce the time spent getting the necessary signatures and cutting through the red tape.
4. Minimal Support
A lack of support, from supervisors, peers, government officials, and more, can amplify feelings of isolation and inadequacy. When social workers feel unheard or unsupported when they struggle, it can deepen their sense of despair and contribute to burnout. An estimated 40% of social workers feel they do not receive adequate supervision and support, which suggests a gap in the resources available to help them deal with the demands of their jobs.
Solutions
- Use a centralized case management system where supervisors can digitally review case files, track progress, and provide real-time feedback and support.
- Institute regular, technology-enabled check-ins — video calls or instant messaging — to build a sense of connection and reduce isolation for remote or field-based workers.
5. Limited Access to Resources
Social workers can operate in environments with limited access to essential resources, including funding, specialized services, and even basic supplies. This lack of resources forces them to work harder to achieve positive outcomes and can lead to increased frustration and a feeling of powerlessness. The constant struggle to make it work with insufficient resources adds another layer of stress to an already demanding role.
This is where Enterprise Content Management (ECM) platforms and Document Management Systems (DMS) — like NCT CaseWorks — can help. When human services programs have limited resources or do not have the staff they need to match their case loads, these innovative solutions can act as a force multiplier by simplifying many time-consuming, daily tasks.
Solutions
- Create a centralized, easy-to-navigate digital database of all available community programs, services, and funds so workers can find help for clients quickly.
- Use data analytics from your ECM platform to track resource allocation and identify gaps, providing hard evidence to support future funding requests.
6. Poor Work-Life Balance
The social work field requires dedication and the line between personal and professional life can become blurred. Long hours, on-call duties, and the emotional weight of their work can make it difficult for social workers to disconnect and recharge on their day off. Without a healthy work-life balance, professionals can be more susceptible to exhaustion, reduced satisfaction, and burnout. A significant portion of social workers have reported having difficulty maintaining a healthy work-life balance that indicates a systemic issue.
Technology can be a valuable asset for human services professionals and can help improve the work-life balance with mobile apps and client portals that can help clients get answers to their own questions quickly. For example — the CaseWorks Portal gives both clients and caseworkers access to important case documents and is a valuable self-service option for clients. The CaseWorks Connect mobile app provides increased access to important case information on your smartphone and allows caseworkers to provide real-time updates to files.
Solutions
- Promote client self-service portals to reduce after-hours calls and texts to caseworkers.
- Provide social workers and caseworkers with secure mobile apps that give them flexibility in managing schedules without being tied to a desk.
- Institute right to disconnect policies supported by technology, such as scheduling email delivery and updates to only occur during work hours.
READ MORE: How Does a Document Management System Improve Client Care?
It is important to understand what causes social worker burnout. It is the first step toward creating a more sustainable and supportive work environment. By addressing these challenging factors — from overwhelming caseloads to providing better emotional support and streamlining day-to-day tasks — social workers can be empowered to continue their valuable work without sacrificing their own well-being.
Contact NCT Inc. today to learn more about how our CaseWorks Enterprise Content Management System can help support social workers combat burnout!
