I work closely with a number of SW. I am regularly frustrated by lack of action to support me in my role (education), but more importantly, the kids in our care.
Behind all of this is the knowledge that the local SWD is understaffed and under pressure. A number of the SW are relatively young and inexperienced, and poorly paid relative to surrounding areas.
It is important to remember that the 'clients' are not generally the most responsive or supportive members of society, and are often looking for someone else to take responsibility.
Schools have kids for 6-7 hours a day, and society expects SWD to be on the ball for the other 17-18 hours, often forgetting about the support that families - uncles, aunts, grandparents, brothers and sisters - are capable of providing, yet do not feel compelled to do so.
In short SWD are underpaid, understaffed, and under pressure. This means priorities have to be established, and your priorities may not be the same as mine, and they're both likely to differ from the next man's.
What's required is a societal mandate to fund and support the necessary interventions. Currently we're desperately short of Foster Carers, and this needs adressing too...
... but who wants to take on destructive 14-year-old with a drink and drug problem and a severe attachment disorder? Form an orderly queue now...