Defining and Identifying Common Elements of and Contextual Influences on the Roles of Support Workers in Health and Social Care
Support workers constitute the largest group of staff involved in delivering health and social care in the UK, yet their roles vary widely and are shaped by various contextual factors. This study aimed to clarify the contributions and context of support workers’ roles in health and social care settings.
Reviewing the evidence on support worker practice
The study involved a thematic review of literature from 2005/2006, updated in 2008, and included 134 papers. It identified four key domains of support worker tasks: direct care, indirect care, administration, and facilitation.
How context shapes support worker responsibilities
The core roles of support workers were found to be helpers/enablers, companions, facilitators, and monitors. While the technical aspects of their roles are influenced by contextual factors such as staffing levels and delegation processes, these core attributes remain consistent across various settings.
Key findings about support worker roles
The findings suggest that despite the diverse nature of support worker roles, there are common features that define their contributions. Contextual factors play a significant role in shaping the specific technical aspects of their work, explaining some of the role variability observed in different settings.
Reference: Moran A, Nancarrow S and Enderby P. (2010). Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice. 17 (6): 1191-99. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2753.2010.01505.x