Staff support needs in residential services

Mental Handicap Research

1995

This paper examines the literature relating to stress in staff who care for people with learning disabilities. The majority of published studies have considered stress in residential staff. When assessing the studies, it soon becomes apparent that there is considerable variability between them in terms of methodology and results. However, the main reason for the range of results probably represent differences in organisational structure of the services surveyed. Despite this variability some simple general trends emerge which suggest that potential stressors and supports vary depending upon their proximity within the organisational structure. Models are presented on how these inter-relationships might be considered.

Section: Stresssupporting

confidence: 59%

Section: Community Facilitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stress and Residential Staff: Towards an Integration of Existing Research

Mental Handicap Research

1995

“…Another frequent finding is that care staff in community facilities cite support from other staff and their immediate manager as important mediators of levels of stress (see, for example , Rose 1991b;Stenfert Kroese & Fleming, 1992). Blair & Collins (1992) reported a perceived mismatch between the levels of support that residential managers felt staff would like and what they actually received (i.e. they generally wanted more).…”

Section: Other Staff and The Impact Of Supportmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stress & Stress Management Among Residential Care Staff

Tizard Learning Disability Review

1997

E vidence is mounting to suggest that stress not only influences an individual's well-being, but can also have an impact on the quality of work they perform. This paper starts with a consideration of some important issues relating to stress in staff who work with people who have learning disabilities, particularly those who work in community group homes. Current research indicates a number of common themes. A model is presented that attempts to summarise some of these. However, it is also clear that there is considerable variability between organisations. This variability must be assessed when considering the needs of individuals and groups of staff. Some groups of staff seem to report higher levels of stress and can benefit from stress management interventions. For stress management to be effective, assessments that take into account individual and organisational issues are necessary. An example of a successful intervention package is provided. This is based on the assessment of staff teams and implemented within a problem-solving framework.

Attitudes of direct care staff towards external professionals, team climate and psychological wellbeing

Ahuja

Jones

2006

J Intellect Disabil

Relationships with external professionals may be an important factor in the psychological wellbeing of care staff. A questionnaire to measure team climate and staff wellbeing was developed, tested and revised. Seventy-two direct care staff completed the revised questionnaire, which had acceptable levels of internal consistency. Significant correlations were found between care staff attitudes towards professionals and levels of team climate and psychological wellbeing. The pattern of relationships was explored by path analysis. Further work is needed on the reliability and validity of the questionnaire. There is a clear association between attitudes to professionals and team climate and between some aspects of climate and psychological wellbeing. Professionals should adopt collaborative ways of working based on problem-solving approaches with staff teams, with the aim of delivering improved quality of care to residents.