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Who supports the support workers? Cross-sectional survey of support workers' experience and views

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Sally Lynch

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Abstract

Support groups provide information and emotional support to families. Despite a recent growth in the number and size of these groups, there are no formal structures in place to provide support for the support worker. We performed a cross-sectional survey using a self-completion postal questionnaire, with the aim of identifying the structure, training needs and support given to workers. The participants were support workers from 112 United Kingdom-based organisations listed on the 'Contact a Family' website (www.cafamily.co.uk). We received 104 replies from 50/112 organisations (44%). Of these, 94/104 (90%) worked from home as volunteers. Two-thirds, 69/104, admitted times when they struggled to cope. A total of 43 (41%) admitted occasions of concern over the care given by a client to their affected relative. No group employed a professional to act in a clinical supervisory role. Our study suggests that support workers are highly committed to their role; these workers need support to ensure that they give appropriate advice under difficult circumstances. © 2004 Nature Publishing Group All rights reserved.

Publication metadata

Author(s): McDonnell S, Lynch SA

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: European Journal of Human Genetics

Year: 2004

Volume: 12

Issue: 3

Pages: 251-254

Print publication date: 01/03/2004

ISSN (print): 1018-4813

ISSN (electronic): 1476-5438

Publisher: Nature Publishing Group

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejhg.5201148

DOI: 10.1038/sj.ejhg.5201148

PubMed id: 14735160

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