Support workers are the backbone of the care industry. Without hard-working and passionate people, the care industry just wouldn’t survive.
At the core, support workers are people-people. They’re comfortable working with people of all backgrounds and can adapt to suit their clients’ needs.
But there are certain skills, or tools, that we see in all the best support workers.
So, what does it take to make a great support worker?
Patience
Right at the top of the list, though this list really isn’t in any real order, is a gift from the Gods: patience.
Have you ever lost your temper quickly, over something minute, such as dropping something on the floor? Or, at a computer that’s frozen? Whoa, been there.
Well, with many support workers, they just don’t get that frustrated, over the little things. They don’t sweat the small stuff.
They can be pretty laissez-faire.
And they need to be, because a day in the life of a support worker can present new and unpredictable challenges at every turn. Just ‘cos.
A good support worker knows that to best support their clients, they need to be prepared for the worst days, as well as the best. This means being patient. Letting things happen as they come, and not putting any time constraints on things.
Empowering a person to complete tasks on their own might take some time, and it can’t exactly be rushed, which is why patience is critical.
A patient person naturally creates a relaxed, supported environment. Now, doesn’t that sound lovely?
Top communicator
When we think of good communication skills, what do we think of?
Someone who speaks with a clear voice; someone who can connect to people using their words; and someone who can relate to their audience through language.
It’s all of those things, really, but being a top communicator isn’t just about what you say, it’s about how you listen.
Being able to respond to your client in a way that they can understand and appreciate. Responding to their needs, not yours.
You might even need to communicate on behalf of your client, which means paying attention.
Being adaptable
You’ve got to be able to adapt to new situations as and when they come.
No day is the same in the care world, and it can be like riding a rollercoaster. Sometimes, they’re fun and sometimes you might wonder if you’re strapped in tight enough!
With this, then, you need to adapt to a client’s wants and needs whilst trying to anticipate how the day or night will look.
It’s good to expect a few obstacles along the way, and aim to navigate through challenging moments with ease. By being adaptable (and calm), you can turn a relative obstacle in the road into something to laugh about – once you’ve avoided any major crises, that is.
Being adaptable is almost synonymous with working well under pressure, too, so if you’re calm, your client will be too.
Having empathy
Being a support worker isn’t an easy role, but imagine being an NDIS participant or someone else who requires formal supports?
They’ve got to allow you into, not only their home, but their life. Their entire way of being and living. That’s pretty invasive.
Being empathetic to this fact allows a good support worker to put themselves in their clients’ place. Would you want a stranger coming into your life and telling you what you’re going to do that day? No. Nor would we. Which is why empathy allows you to build a true, honest relationship, and allows you to accept that your new partnership might not go swimmingly (at first).
With different needs such as cultural sensitivities, mobility issues or communication challenges, support workers need to empathise with their clients first before they can begin trying to find the best way to support them.
For stronger relationships, or partnerships, to be built on trust, empathy is a skill that all support workers need.
Positivity
Imagine hanging out with a negative Nelly all day? Um, no thanks.
As mentioned earlier, being a support worker isn’t an easy gig. There will be some hard days, but that doesn’t mean that a client wants to hang out with someone who’s sulking and complaining about the state of the world.
It’s so much more fun to be with someone who is positive. And, positive vibes can boost a client’s sense of self.
Through encouragement and positive motivation, clients can feel like they’re in a safe, supportive environment and be more willing to try new things.
Being positive can change your outlook on life, and the outlook of others. So, no whining. Everything’s just fantastic.
Key takeaways
When it comes to the essential skills one needs as a support worker, the top 5 above are what we, at Kimberley Care Group, think you need to not only survive, but thrive, in a challenging (but super rewarding) industry.
Support workers are the pillars of Kimberley Care Group; they are the ones out there, physically and emotionally supporting the community.
Some of our best support workers are those who are just innately, well, caring. Those that go over and beyond to make people feel safe and secure.
There are those who breathe fresh life into their support hours; who think outside the box. We can support our clients to run errands, sure, but we can also take them on epic trips, fishing and camping. Sometimes, support work is just about hanging out with the clients.
At Kimberley Care Group, we know that care work is hard. But, we also know it can be amazing. That’s why we hire those who are adaptable, self-motivated and have a shiny moral compass.
So, if you’re looking for a companion to support you or someone you know, reach out today.