title: Who supports the support workers? Cross-sectional survey of support workers' experience and views.
abstract: Support groups provide information and emotional support to families. Despite a recent growth in the number and size of these groups, there are no formal structures in place to provide support for the support worker. We performed a cross-sectional survey using a self-completion postal questionnaire, with the aim of identifying the structure, training needs and support given to workers. The participants were support workers from 112 United Kingdom-based organisations listed on the 'Contact a Family' website (www.cafamily.co.uk). We received 104 replies from 50/112 organisations (44%). Of these, 94/104 (90%) worked from home as volunteers. Two-thirds, 69/104, admitted times when they struggled to cope. A total of 43 (41%) admitted occasions of concern over the care given by a client to their affected relative. No group employed a professional to act in a clinical supervisory role. Our study suggests that support workers are highly committed to their role; these workers need support to ensure that they give appropriate advice under difficult circumstances.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Human Genetics, International Centre for Life Central Parkway, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1 3BZ, UK. S.M.McDonnell@ncl.ac.uk
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McDonnell
authors.forename: Sally Ann
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Lynch
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D012944:Social Support; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014146:Training Support; D006113:United Kingdom; D014838:Volunteers