Support workers play a crucial role in assisting individuals with various needs, enabling them to live independently and improve their quality of life. This profession requires individuals who possess specific qualities and a compassionate outlook towards those they support.
Responsibilities of a Support Worker
The day-to-day duties of a support worker are diverse and encompass a wide range of tasks. These include meal preparation, household chores, medication administration, accessing community facilities, shopping assistance, socialising guidance, doctor visits coordination, job search support, and emotional guidance (Sari & Setiawan, 2020). It is important to note that the individuals supported by these workers can have different needs such as learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, physical disabilities, or mental health conditions.
Importance of Support Workers
Support workers hold immense significance in helping individuals with diverse needs lead independent lives. They provide both physical and emotional aid to help these individuals achieve their goals and enhance their overall well-being (Nikartas et al., 2021). By offering practical assistance and emotional support tailored to each person's requirements, support workers contribute significantly to improving the individual's quality of life.
Required Qualities for Support Workers
To excel in their roles as support workers, certain essential qualities should be possessed by all professionals in this field. Firstly, empathy is crucial; understanding the emotions and experiences faced by the individual being supported enables effective communication and builds trust. Secondly, patience plays an imperative role since progress may take time when supporting individuals with complex needs or challenges. Additionally, good communication skills are vital for establishing positive relationships between the worker and the individual needing assistance. Lastly, adaptability is paramount as each person has unique requirements that may change over time; being able to adjust methods accordingly ensures effective support provision.
Understanding the demands of this profession is also key for success. Being aware that providing care involves physical labor, long working hours, and potentially challenging situations will help individuals considering a career as support workers make informed decisions about their suitability for the role.
Independent Support Workers vs Formal Support Workers
Support workers can be classified into two categories: independent support workers who do not require formal qualifications and those who work within established organisations or agencies.
Independent support workers often aid on a freelance basis and may specialise in specific areas of care. They rely on their personal experience, skills, and knowledge to deliver support services (Nikartas et al., 2021).
In contrast, formal support workers are employed by recognised organisations or agencies. These professionals typically receive training tailored to the specific needs they will encounter while supporting individuals. Although both types of support workers can effectively assist individuals with various needs, working within established organisations offers additional benefits such as access to resources, ongoing professional development opportunities, and greater accountability through supervision and quality assurance protocols. Support workers play an invaluable role in assisting individuals with diverse needs to lead fulfilling lives. Their responsibilities encompass a wide range of tasks that contribute significantly to improving the overall well-being of those they support.
To excel in this profession, possessing essential qualities like empathy, patience, good communication skills, and adaptability is crucial. Understanding the demands and being aware of the options available — whether as independent or formal support workers — helps individuals considering this career path make informed decisions about how best to utilise their skills in providing essential care and assistance.
References
Sari, T. P., & Setiawan, J. L. (2020). The Influence of Supervisor and Co-Worker Social Support Towards Resilient Self-Efficacy of Psychiatric Hospital Nurses. Jurnal Psikologi, 47(1), 64. https://doi.org/10.22146/jpsi.44588
Nikartas, S., Paliauka, J., & Tereškinas, A. (2021). A Police Officer or a Social Worker? Research on the Professional Roles of Probation Officers. Filosofija. Sociologija, 32(2). https://doi.org/10.6001/fil-soc.v32i2.4412
