Karolina Gerlich, Chief Executive at The Care Workers’ Charity discusses the role of collaboration in promoting enhanced social care and community support, and why education of the role of social care needs to start at Government level.
As the Chief Executive of a charity dedicated to care workers, I constantly see the complex network of collaboration necessary for the holistic wellbeing of our communities. It’s clear that effective social care relies on more than the actions of any one professional or team. Instead, it relies on professionals across the sector communicating, educating and working together to provide excellent care and support.
A few years back, I gave a talk at the British Geriatric Society. Afterwards, as I spoke with consultants and nurses, I was struck that many of them were surprised by the extent of care workers’ responsibilities. They didn’t know that care workers administered medication or provided essential support like stoma care. This knowledge gap highlighted a crucial need for increased education and awareness of other health and social care professionals about the skills, responsibilities and the invaluable role care workers play.
Registered professionals must acknowledge and champion the contributions of care workers, recognise care workers as fellow professionals and work together to provide the best support for people drawing on social care. For example, care workers often serve as vital support systems for individuals in physiotherapy rehabilitation. By collaborating closely with physiotherapists, care workers can facilitate better outcomes for those in their care, offering essential assistance, encouragement and guidance throughout the rehabilitation process and exercises. Care workers also provide palliative support in the community working closely with district nurses, administering end of life pain relief and coordinating with GP services.
It’s essential to foster an environment of mutual respect and understanding between all professionals involved in the social care sector. Registered professionals and care workers bring unique skills and perspectives to the table. When each role is valued and respected, it creates a collaborative environment, and combined efforts get better results.
Education is key. We need to educate registered professionals and the broader society about the multifaceted nature of social care and the pivotal role of care workers within it. In this way, we can bridge the knowledge gap and foster a culture of appreciation for the invaluable work carried out by care workers daily.
This needs to start at a governmental level. Every social care minister should undergo a two-week work experience in the social care sector to see firsthand the daily responsibilities of care workers. This could help shape policies that truly value and respect care workers, leading to fair recognition and pay. By instilling this culture of respect and recognition at the governmental level, we can pave the way for a more sustainable social care system with policies and practices that uphold the professionalisation of care work, benefitting care workers, those drawing on social care, the wider social care sector and our society.
@KGerlich777 @CareWorkersFund
www.thecareworkerscharity.org.uk
