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Overview

Standard 3: Safe workloads and case allocation

Safe workloads and case allocation

Meeting this standard ensures social workers have safe, manageable workloads. Employers need to implement a workload management system with input from social workers and line managers.

The system should set clear, safe workload levels for each service area and employers should regularly monitor and adjust as needed.

Employers should allocate cases transparently and consult with practitioners. There is currently no standardised national workload management and case allocation system for social work. Systems are often being developed locally. What constitutes ‘safe’ staffing levels and case allocation varies between organisations.

Developing an effective workload management system is complex and complicated. This section does not set out a standardised workload management system. It highlights the factors that might inform how your local authority defines and manages workload management.

Regularly assess individual workloads, and consider the: 

  • practitioner’s current caseload 
  • complexity of tasks 
  • practitioner’s current capacity 
  • practitioner’s experience 

Make time for:  

  • supervision 
  • training 
  • professional development  

Get regular updates about workload and capacity concerns within your service, to check if:  

Reporting guidelines for social workers

The Social Work England Professional Standards require social workers to tell their supervisors about any issues affecting their ability to perform or fitness to practise. The health check asks practitioners if:  

  • work is allocated fairly 
  • the demands of casework are balanced with the resources required to do the job 
  • support for wellbeing at work is easily available 
  • social workers can discuss workload and stress with managers and find a solution together 
  • social workers are comfortable contacting their union or professional association about working conditions 

Practitioners should report their typical weekly working hours, their current caseload and the number of new cases they expect to be allocated in the next month. Employers need to publish average caseloads as part of the health check.

How to improve workload management for social workers

To prevent social workers feeling overwhelmed make sure they have manageable workloads by improving workload management systems. Consider work complexity and case numbers, involve practitioners and managers in system development. Provide necessary resources, and create a supportive environment by: 

  • allocating time for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and supervision 
  • providing protected caseloads and supervision time for new social workers 
  • creating safe environments and encouraging positive relationships for collaboration 
  • regularly evaluating and monitoring workload systems for fairness  
  • reducing unnecessary admin tasks so social workers can spend more time with families 

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The resources have been developed by Research in Practice in collaboration with DfE.
Published: 30 October 2024
Last updated: 30 October 2024