Maybe its knowing what needs to be done but not having the power to do it. The first thing that comes to mind is the restraints and limitations of support offered to the service user due to social work budget cuts, not meeting eligibility criteria (Care Act 2014) which might then have a significant affect on their needs/wellbeing and therefore have the opposite effect of what social workers are trying to achieve for the service user. On the other hand social workers are required to promote self-determination but they may also be required to detain someone under the Mental Health Act against their will or break confidentiality if someone is putting themselves or others at risk of danger. The need to put your own values and standards aside and sometimes allow someone to continue living the way they are/want to even if you dont agree with it. Eg a drug user or someone in a violent relationship. A lot of people have preconceived ideas about social workers as well so it can be hard to gain the trust of service users eg if you are trying to support a family they are likely to not want to work with you over fears that you will remove their children equally society generally have a poor view of social workers due to the media which never shares the thousands of positive things social workers do everyday. Multiagency working can also be an issue where Ive found some authorities not wanting to or not being able to afford to support a family so instead try to pass the responsibility to adults services who then pass back to childrens, none of which promotes good outcomes. Theres often a challenge when it comes to safeguarding vs promoting independence, freedom and choice etc for adults who have disabilities for example and their parents often understandably want to wrap them in cotton wool but the social worker wants to encourage the adult to learn new skills and become independent especially for when their parents are no longer here but the parents often take some persuading to let their son/daughter go on a bus for the first time for example. Maybe also religious/cultural dilemmas - some countries children arent allowed to look adults in the eye as it is seen to be disrespectful but if they moved to UK and a SW was interviewing them regarding child abuse, the SW may think the child was trying to hide something. Also some cultures encourage physical discipline against children and wives however in Britain that is against the law but SW are required to be culturally sensitive....
Sorry about the essay, I got slightly carried away! Hope it makes some sense lol, good luck! 😀