Professional Care Workers Week highlights mental health challenges in social care, urging intervention.
- Statistics reveal significant rates of depression and anxiety among care workers.
- Abbots Care implements innovative measures to enhance staff wellbeing and retention.
- Regular check-ins and stress management training recommended to mitigate burnout.
- Bereavement support resources advocated to assist carers in handling loss.
Professional Care Workers Week serves as a crucial reminder of the mental health challenges faced by individuals in the social care sector. 26% of care workers are likely experiencing depression, with 27% facing anxiety disorders as per the Office of National Statistics figures from February 2021. This alarming data underlines the need for robust mental health support in the industry.
Abbots Care, a leader in providing care services, emphasises the importance of supporting mental wellbeing to improve staff retention. The introduction of their wellbeing app in 2021 has led to a 20.7% increase in staff retention and a subsequent 10% annual increase. This app provides vital resources focusing on mental health, stress management, and maintaining a work-life balance.
To combat staff burnout, which has become a significant factor in employee departures, regular check-ins between managers and care workers are recommended. These sessions are crucial for identifying early stress signs, allowing for timely interventions. According to the CQC Adult Social Care Workforce Survey conducted in January 2023, 28% of homecare providers identified burnout as a critical issue.
Providing stress management training is also advised to help care workers manage job pressures effectively. Training includes mindfulness, relaxation exercises, and time management skills. Furthermore, Carers UK facilitates wellbeing sessions, offering a platform for carers to connect and reduce stress levels.
Access to bereavement support and counselling resources is vital for carers who often deal with loss. Free, specialised counselling services, like those from IndependentAge, are essential for helping staff navigate these challenging experiences. Abbots Care’s app provides remote employees with these necessary tools, reinforcing a commitment to mental health.
Camille Leavold, Managing Director and Co-Founder of Abbots Care, states, “We started Abbots Care back in 1995, working as care workers ourselves, so we really understand what it is like to work supporting vulnerable people and just how lonely and isolating it can be at times.” She further emphasises, “Retaining and appreciating our workforce is something really close to my heart, and since its launch, our app has made a huge impact not only in the way our people and company communicate but our culture and team motivation as a whole.”
Addressing mental health challenges in social care is imperative for retaining and supporting a robust workforce.
