Why Is Setting Boundaries So Difficult For Social Workers
Setting boundaries is a fundamental skill that social workers teach their clients, yet many social workers struggle with setting boundaries themselves. From my experience, here’s why:
Who Are Social Workers?
The people who choose to go into social work are usually caring, compassionate individuals who are motivated by a strong desire to help others. Many have also had lived experience with trauma, hardship or loss1. They commit to upholding social work principles like “service and social justice” and setting boundaries therefore may initially seem unaligned with their helper role.
Furthermore, it’s often not easy to tell others “No.” Social workers may worry about letting their clients down or feel bad about setting boundaries. If a client needs money, food, or other services that their social worker cannot provide, it can pull on the heartstrings of a compassionate social worker. I had great difficulty setting boundaries, for example, when my clients needed letters for accommodation (such as ESA) but I was unable to provide them.
The Need For Boundaries
Setting boundaries, however, is not at odds with social work. Setting boundaries actually supports compassionate social work practice and is an important social work tool for the following reasons:
- Setting Boundaries Prepares Clients for the Real-World
The reality is that we all encounter boundaries. When clients practice coping with boundaries within the social work relationship, they’re better prepared for other boundaries they will encounter. When I had difficulty implementing late policies with clients, for example, it negatively affected my workflow, and it set unhealthy expectations for my clients. I ultimately started to enforce the policy and realized that a lack of boundaries is a disservice to clients. Casebook’s software supports boundaries between clients and social workers by helping clients to identify additional members of their care team and helps social workers to create referrals.
- It Models How To Set Boundaries
The Social Work Code of Ethics is clear that social workers need to maintain professional boundaries with clients and that failure to do so can result in major consequences. Social workers need to unapologetically adhere to those boundaries therefore and when doing so, they enable clients to see how to set and maintain healthy boundaries. When my external supervisor cancelled one of our meetings due to a billing issue, for example, I was taken aback and initially felt hurt. Later, I was appreciative however because she showed me that boundaries are impartial and she modeled boundary-setting for me, even within a helper role.
- Setting Boundaries Is A Burnout Prevention Tool
Self-care is perhaps one of the most underemphasized social work tools and is key for burnout prevention. Social workers have a popular saying that “you can’t pour from an empty cup,” which is typically taught to clients but applies to social workers as well. Whenever I compromised my boundaries with clients in the past, it threatened my well-being and my effectiveness. Casebook helps social workers to achieve healthier work-life balance through streamlined notes and time-saving features. Social workers are also able to refresh and better disconnect from work when they have a reliable data management system like Casebook to ensure their clients’ continuity of care.
Learning to Set Boundaries in Social Work
Social workers are more successful in setting boundaries with clients when they:
- Reframe the benefits of boundaries. Boundaries are a natural, healthy part of every relationship
- Communicate boundaries well. Social workers know that words are only a small part of communication, so when setting boundaries they need to be mindful of their body language and tone as well. The idiom “It’s not what you say, but how you say it” holds true.
- Expect and Accept Resistance. Pushback is a natural part of the process so social workers should be prepared to reinforce the boundaries they set.
- Rehearse, Rehearse, Rehearse. Setting and maintaining boundaries with clients will become easier through practice.
In Conclusion
Boundaries and compassion are not at odds in social work. Boundaries are an essential social work tool that supports compassionate social work practice. Boundaries are also a key part of burnout prevention for social workers (How to Address and Overcome Social Worker Burnout). Casebook fortunately supports social workers in setting boundaries; their software reduces administrative burden and enables healthier work-life balance.
References:
- Mackay, T. (2023). Lived experience in social work: An underutilised expertise. British Journal of Social Work, 53(3), 1833–1840. https://doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/bcad028
