Supporting people as a Support Worker can be incredibly rewarding, but it also comes with its own challenges. You might face difficult situations, manage complex emotions from clients, and navigate challenging relationships. It's likely that at some point you'll experience verbal abuse or aggression from the people you're trying to help. While your training equips you with the tools to handle these situations, the emotional toll can be significant. That's why it's crucial to learn how to spot signs of stress in yourself and how to access support.

Why Self-Care Matters

Maintaining your well-being is just as important as helping others. When you feel good, you can provide better support. Your well-being affects how well you connect with clients, manage their needs, and navigate challenging situations. Having good self-care and stress-management skills also helps prevent burnout, which can lead to compassion fatigue and hinder the quality of care you provide. So, by taking care of yourself, you're not only looking out for yourself but also ensuring you can offer the best possible support to others.

Spotting Signs of Stress

It's vital to learn to recognise signs of stress early on so you can access the help you need. Watch for indicators like increased irritability, changes in mood or sleep patterns, difficulty concentrating, or a decline in job satisfaction. You might also experience physical symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, or changes in appetite.

If you do notice signs of stress in yourself, be proactive about seeking support from the workplace manager or your Vetro Recruitment Consultant. Having a strong network of peers or a mentor who understands the unique pressures of support work can also be a valuable resource.

Key Self-Care Skills to Develop

Here are some key skills that will help you manage stress, self-care, and wellbeing throughout your career as a Support Worker:

1. Emotional Intelligence: Understanding your own emotions and those of the people you support is crucial. By developing your emotional intelligence, you'll be better equipped to manage difficult situations, de-escalate conflict, and provide empathetic support.

2. Stress Management: We can't avoid stress entirely! That's why it's important to be able to identify sources of stress, whether work-related or personal, and have techniques to address them. Healthy coping mechanisms include practising stress-reducing techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or mindfulness, and knowing how to establish boundaries to prevent work from taking over your personal life.

3. Communication: Excellent communication skills are essential for building rapport with clients, understanding their needs, and advocating for them effectively. This includes active listening, clear and concise communication, and the ability to adapt your communication style to different personalities.

4. Resilience: Being resilient means being able to bounce back from setbacks and adapt well to changes. You can develop resilience by cultivating a positive mindset that focuses on finding solutions rather than dwelling on problems. Remember, even small victories are worth celebrating!

5. Self-Reflection: Having insight into your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours is a key self-care skill. Reflecting regularly helps you understand what causes stress for you at work and why you react the way you do. Self-reflection lets you assess your work-life balance and make any changes needed. Set aside regular time to reflect on your day-to-day experiences and long-term goals, and take time for self-care activities that bring you joy and relaxation.

With these skills as part of your toolkit, you'll be better able to manage any stressful or challenging situations you experience. They're also valuable assets that will enhance the quality of care you provide.

Other Ways to Support Your Wellbeing at Work

Many support organisations offer resources and programs specifically designed to support staff well-being. Make sure to check your employee handbook or ask your supervisor for any available information. Some examples of support your organisation may offer include:

• Mental Health and Wellbeing Training

• Support Worker Support Groups or Peer Supervision Programs

• Wellness Action Plans

• Counselling or Employee Assistance Programs

• Mindfulness or Stress Management Workshops

• Flexible Working Arrangements

As you start your career in social care it’s important to remember that these support services are available to you and to remember that you can ask for help if you are struggling with aspects of your role or your mental health and wellbeing. 

At Vetro, we offer expert advice and recruitment support in the social care sector. Learn how to develop your career, grow your abilities, and find the perfect roles for you with the help and guidance of our industry-expert consultants. 

If you'd like more information on how Vetro could help you find your next Support Worker role, get in touch or explore our hundreds of live vacancies across the UK.