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Managing caseload and workload

Manage caseloads and allocate work fairly by considering the best practice of various local authorities.

Caseload and workload management models are used differently across England. There is no single model that works best for everyone. Here are four case studies which show how different local authorities are applying these to caseloads. These case studies are for anyone working in social care interested in finding out more about different caseload and workload management models.

What caseload and workload mean for social workers

Caseload is the number of children and families a social worker is responsible for. It’s a count of how many children or young people a social worker is working with.

Workload is the full picture that includes everything a social worker does, not just their caseload. It changes depending on what’s happening in families’ lives and how much support they need.

High caseloads often mean high workloads, which can overwhelm staff and impact on the social worker’s ability to practise well.

Next page: Supporting workload management in North Tyneside

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These resources have been developed by Research in Practice in collaboration with DfE.
Published: 24 September 2025
Last updated: 24 September 2025