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Support Worker Insights into Working with Individuals with Learning Disabilities and Complex Needs

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Title: Support Worker Insights into Working with Individuals with Learning Disabilities and Complex Needs
Language: English
Authors: Kayleigh O'Shea, Charlotte W. Greenway (ORCID 0000-0002-1127-757X)
Source: British Journal of Learning Disabilities. 2026 54(1):85-93.
Availability: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 9
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Employees, Learning Disabilities, Employee Attitudes, Teamwork, Social Support Groups, Anxiety, Social Isolation, Well Being, Labor Turnover, Burnout, Compensation (Remuneration), Labor Force Development, Sustainability, Social Services, Work Environment
Geographic Terms: United Kingdom (Wales)
DOI: 10.1111/bld.70019
ISSN: 1354-4187
1468-3156
Abstract: Background: This study examines the perspectives of support workers in Wales supporting individuals with learning disabilities and complex needs. Methods: Conducted in a South-West Wales health and social care service, we used six in-person focus groups (n = 22) recruited via purposive sampling. Photo-elicitation prompts were used to deepen reflection, and transcripts were analysed inductively using Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis. Findings: The analysis generated three overarching themes: Strengths, Support and Sources of Pride in the Role, Challenges and Barriers in Daily Practice and Calls for Training, Recognition and Fair Pay. While participants reported strong commitment and enjoyment, they highlighted the need for more managerial support, as they often relied on team members. Reports of anxiety, isolation, and inconsistent support indicate risks to staff well-being and retention. Conclusions: The study underscores the importance of structured induction and managerial presence in reducing burnout and sustaining workforce stability. Calls for pay reform and improved recognition reflect wider concerns about equity, responsibility, and retention in social care. These insights have significant implications for workforce strategy in Wales and contribute to international discussions on workforce sustainability in learning disability services, offering transferable insights into how rights-based policy frameworks, ethical guidance, and supportive workplace cultures can strengthen recruitment, retention, and the quality of care.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1496530
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Support Worker Insights into Working with Individuals with Learning Disabilities and Complex Needs
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Kayleigh+O'Shea%22">Kayleigh O'Shea</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Charlotte+W%2E+Greenway%22">Charlotte W. Greenway</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1127-757X">0000-0002-1127-757X</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22British+Journal+of+Learning+Disabilities%22"><i>British Journal of Learning Disabilities</i></searchLink>. 2026 54(1):85-93.
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  Data: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
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  Data: 9
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Employees%22">Employees</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Learning+Disabilities%22">Learning Disabilities</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Employee+Attitudes%22">Employee Attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Teamwork%22">Teamwork</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Social+Support+Groups%22">Social Support Groups</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Anxiety%22">Anxiety</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Social+Isolation%22">Social Isolation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Well+Being%22">Well Being</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Labor+Turnover%22">Labor Turnover</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Burnout%22">Burnout</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Compensation+%28Remuneration%29%22">Compensation (Remuneration)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Labor+Force+Development%22">Labor Force Development</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sustainability%22">Sustainability</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Social+Services%22">Social Services</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Work+Environment%22">Work Environment</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22United+Kingdom+%28Wales%29%22">United Kingdom (Wales)</searchLink>
– Name: DOI
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  Data: 10.1111/bld.70019
– Name: ISSN
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  Data: 1354-4187<br />1468-3156
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
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  Data: Background: This study examines the perspectives of support workers in Wales supporting individuals with learning disabilities and complex needs. Methods: Conducted in a South-West Wales health and social care service, we used six in-person focus groups (n = 22) recruited via purposive sampling. Photo-elicitation prompts were used to deepen reflection, and transcripts were analysed inductively using Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis. Findings: The analysis generated three overarching themes: Strengths, Support and Sources of Pride in the Role, Challenges and Barriers in Daily Practice and Calls for Training, Recognition and Fair Pay. While participants reported strong commitment and enjoyment, they highlighted the need for more managerial support, as they often relied on team members. Reports of anxiety, isolation, and inconsistent support indicate risks to staff well-being and retention. Conclusions: The study underscores the importance of structured induction and managerial presence in reducing burnout and sustaining workforce stability. Calls for pay reform and improved recognition reflect wider concerns about equity, responsibility, and retention in social care. These insights have significant implications for workforce strategy in Wales and contribute to international discussions on workforce sustainability in learning disability services, offering transferable insights into how rights-based policy frameworks, ethical guidance, and supportive workplace cultures can strengthen recruitment, retention, and the quality of care.
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        Value: 10.1111/bld.70019
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      – Text: English
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      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
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      – SubjectFull: Learning Disabilities
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      – SubjectFull: Teamwork
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      – SubjectFull: Social Support Groups
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      – SubjectFull: Anxiety
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      – SubjectFull: Social Isolation
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      – SubjectFull: Well Being
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      – SubjectFull: Labor Turnover
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      – SubjectFull: Burnout
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      – SubjectFull: Compensation (Remuneration)
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      – SubjectFull: United Kingdom (Wales)
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      – TitleFull: Support Worker Insights into Working with Individuals with Learning Disabilities and Complex Needs
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