Client transfers are an unfortunate yet generally unavoidable aspect of social work caseloads that, when mishandled, can undermine client engagement, progress, and results. Transfers are caused by various reasons, from staff turnover to the provider's capabilities. Whatever the cause, it's up to the newly assigned provider to ensure the client is still prioritized and meets their goals. Technology such as case management software eases the transition for clients and social workers by automatically transferring case information, limiting administrative tasks, and improving communication. Which software your organization uses and how you implement it can significantly improve your efficiency and reputation, especially when dealing with complicated transfers. Rebuild Client Engagement One of the most tedious aspects of case transfers is that the new provider must restart the engagement process, regardless of how far the client and previous case worker were into implementation. Like with standard intakes, the new provider should take this time to set a strong foundation for the objectives they will achieve together. For the best results, case workers should consider their own goals in addition to those of the clients and the previous providers, if applicable. Throughout the repeated intake process, case workers should prioritize that their clients actually feel engaged. Transferred clients may feel unmotivated and not prioritize your implementation plan the second time around, especially if they have to repeat previous steps. To help with this, providers should ensure clients feel like they're prioritized, such as by taking time to listen to their frustrations and reflecting on why their case was transferred, to begin with. Reasons for Client Transfers Client cases can be transferred between case workers, departments, and organizations for numerous reasons. However, transfers should primarily be determined by imposing factors such as a case worker's skills, experience, and specialty or a client's locality and needs. For example, some clients may require a mental health-focused assessment from a clinical social worker rather than the provider currently assigned to their case. Other factors that contribute to case transfers include: Staff turnover Worker capacity Scheduling conflicts Client or worker health concerns Client or worker safety concerns The client requests another social worker or organization There are notably also many reasons why some cases should not be transferred, either to meet legal requirements or for the client's well-being. Examples include: Client health concerns Unresolved jurisdictional and dispositional hearing Status review hearings Detention hearings with filed petitions Interim review hearings, such as adoption and placement reviews The client will not work with another social worker or organization Downfalls of Restarting the Client Engagement Process Transfers can be unexpected and stressful experiences for clients that could impact their view of your organization and their aspirations to achieve their goals. So, while the case worker assigned to the transferred client may also feel overwhelmed, it's crucial for them to provide top-notch care for the client's sake and your organization's brand and reputation. To understand how this negatively impacts clients, consider a time you were transferred on the phone regarding a customer service issue. While some organizations intentionally relay essential information to other departments before transferring you, many expect you to re-explain your situation as if you had just started the phone call. These situations can be stressful, leave you feeling deprioritized, and result in some information being skipped or only explained to one party. Reassigned clients and newly assigned case workers may miss important details, misinterpret goals, and run into other miscommunications. In some cases, a client may even attempt to mislead the new case worker about the original provider's assessment and implementation plan. Therefore, it's critical for the organization to thoroughly retain case management notes to ensure no details are missed, miscommunicated, or misrepresented. Making Case Shifts Easier for Clients