Abstract
Support workers form a significant proportion of the mental health and learning disability workforce. Vicarious trauma and burnout are work-related consequences frequently recognised in mental health workers, due to contact with clients who have had difficult life experiences. Reflective practice groups have been found to be beneficial for counteracting the emotional impact of clinical work and improving resilience; however, little research has been conducted concerning support workers’ views about reflective practice. This study aimed to explore support worker experiences of accessing reflective practice sessions with a clinical psychologist. Experiences of ten support workers working in private mental health and learning disability settings, with lived experience of attending reflective practice sessions, were acquired through semi-structured interviews, and analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Five superordinate themes were identified, with participants highlighting; the perceived value of the role and power impressed upon them within the care system; their experiences of reflective practice and its’ impact on clinical practice; systemic/organisational barriers to being reflective; the impact of the complexity of the role on the capacity to be reflective and; the relationship cultivated with the psychologist and how this impacts the ability to be reflective.The results add to the limited existing literature base, demonstrating that while reflective practice is well-received and valued by support workers, the function and process of the session is not always clear, highlighting the need for training, to ensure a shared understanding.
Keywords: support workers, reflective practice, reflective practice groups, experience, interpretative phenomenological analysis
| Date of Award | 9 Sept 2024 |
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| Original language | English |
| Awarding Institution |
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| Supervisor | Steve Minton (Director of Studies (First Supervisor)) & Kelly Camilleri (Other Supervisor) |