Not being able to help children in need, either due to lack of consent to necessary measures, or due to restrictions set by leaders, for example for economic reasons. The measures available at municipality level, are often not flexible enough (f.ex. able to follow up outside of office hours, when families are actually at home), but these are often the only measures accessible.

One factor is the dominant discourse regulation interpreted as exclusively child-focused, (solely) working with the child and directing resources towards the child.

Social workers in child welfare settings are frequently exposed to the traumatic life stories of the children they support. The prolonged and repeated exposure to such narratives can lead to vicarious trauma, a phenomenon wherein the professional internalizes the emotional suffering of their clients. This emotional burden, if not properly addressed, can accumulate over time and adversely affect the social worker's psychological well-being and professional performance.

Moreover, if a social worker has a personal history of similar trauma—such as having experienced abuse in childhood—there is a heightened risk of over-identification or over-empathizing with the child’s situation. This can trigger unresolved personal trauma, potentially leading the professional to re-experience stressing emotions or to respond in a manner that is emotionally driven rather than clinically grounded. Such reactions may compromise objectivity, boundaries, and ultimately the effectiveness of the intervention.

Therefore, it is essential that social workers engage in ongoing professional self-reflection, supervision, and emotional regulation strategies. Institutions must also ensure access to trauma-informed support structures and regular training on secondary traumatic stress and ethical self-care, which are critical for sustaining both the worker’s mental health and the quality of care provided to vulnerable children.