“A support worker is not only someone who is caring and supportive of you, but is also a person who can assist people lead dignified lives by ensuring that their basic hygiene and health needs are fulfilled where they are unable to do that personally. They are the ones who can help you feel empowered, independent and included in the community and ensure a sense of autonomy.
A Support Worker needs to be active with
■Supporting people to have maximum choice and control.
■Allow supported decision making and risk assessment.
■Use appropriate language.
Support Workers are not carers. Carers are the unpaid supports in someones life.
Understanding the Role of a Support Worker –
People who are hired in this position are required to possess compassion with a profound ability to tackle difficult situations. Workers are expected to possess a keen ability to develop sound relationships with those they support by anticipating their needs and managing to fill them effectively.
Only people with real mettle can do this job efficiently. Below are some important skills that a support worker will need to possess to be able to qualify for this job.
■Have clear boundaries – Support Workers are not friends.
■Actively work towards achieving a high level of mutual trust and acknowledge the level of shared vulnerability involved in the relationship.
What qualities to look for –
■Empathy, adaptable and flexibility and to be able to provide warm support.
■Compassionate.
■Trustworthy and honest.
■Professional and a motivator.
■Able to think on the move and problem solve.
■A team player with good communication skills.
■The ability to get on with people of all ages and backgrounds and gain their trust.
■Tact, patience and understanding.
■Sometimes computer literacy and administration skills.
■Mental strength, to cope with challenging situations and people.
What makes support workers amazing –
■They have the ability to develop relationships built on respect and trust and are effective communicators.
■Live person centred approaches and apply them to work, demonstrating they are able to work on a needs led basis.
■Bring a positive, ‘can do attitude’ and are aware of people’s different needs and the needs of those around them.
■Demonstrate sensitivity and treat people as individuals – valuing their input and things that are important to them.
■Posses a genuine interest in the welfare of the people they support and believe in each person’s potentials and strengths.
■Empower people to become as independently involved in their life contribution and local community as possible.
■They are flexible and open minded willing to adapt and change according to the situations that arise and don’t make assumptions working as team players.
■Good problem solvers, with the ability to work through difficult situations – with honesty and integrity for others and themselves.
■Aware of their own cultural values, attitudes and knowledge and how this affects their work.
On a professional basis, people who understand the value and importance of:
■The principles of continuing professional development, and of learning and methods of self-evaluation.
■Have different types of communication and positive working approaches.
■Know the difference between work relationships and personal relationships and how work relationships can be maintained professionally.
■Has an understanding of the current legislative and regulatory frameworks.
Above all support workers are Human Beings so this is a big ask and it goes both ways when possible, and to the best of any one persons ability. It is important to keep it real and know life is organic, it changes and can grow.
Great staff training can go a long way in developing amazing workers.