Case Management Practices of Social Workers with Children in Conflict with the Law: A Phenomenological Inquiry

Case management is a core function of social work practice, particularly in handling complex cases, such as those involving Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL). In the Philippine context, however, social workers often manage multiple roles with limited institutional support. This phenomenological study examined the lived experiences of six social workers who handled CICL cases in PPALMA+PB, Philippines. Data were gathered through in-depth individual interviews and analyzed using Colaizzi's thematic analysis. Findings revealed that participants assumed multiple roles, including broker, counselor, mediator, and resource provider. They encountered persistent challenges, including excessive caseloads, a limited workforce, low community awareness of social work functions, client indecisiveness, repeated offending, and inadequate financial and institutional resources. To navigate these constraints, they employed coping strategies such as structured time management, peer support, firm yet compassionate engagement with clients, and professional acceptance of systemic limitations. Implications highlight the urgent need for government and partner agencies to strengthen CICL case management systems. This includes increasing workforce allocations within the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), providing continuous training on juvenile intervention frameworks, capacitating families as treatment partners, and intensifying community education on child rights and restorative justice. Overall, the study highlights that while social workers remain committed to rehabilitation and reintegration, their effectiveness is significantly influenced by the availability of structural support—or its absence. Strengthening support systems is crucial for sustaining ethical and effective CICL case management in the Philippine setting.