Staff Self-Care and Wellbeing

This course will highlight the benefits but also the challenges of working in the care and support professions. It will explore the signs and symptoms of burnout, compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma which can lead to staff sickness, staff turnover and ineffectual or dangerous practice. After recognising the risk factors in busy and challenging work environments, the course will go on to explore how to build resilience and enhance wellbeing and workplace satisfaction. This course is not only recommended for individuals, but also managers and the wider organisation.

Length: 4 modules, Duration: 30 - 45 mins of study per module.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, learners will be able to:

1. Understand the challenges of frontline work – Recognise the emotional and psychological demands of working with people experiencing homelessness, trauma and multiple disadvantage.

2. Recognise signs of stress and burnout – Identify the causes, risk factors and signs of stress, burnout, compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma, and understand their impact on wellbeing and professional practice.

3. Understand responses to stress – Explain how stress affects the brain, emotions and behaviour, and recognise the difference between reacting and responding to challenging situations.

4. Develop self-awareness and resilience – Reflect on personal stress responses, strengths, values and early warning signs, and recognise when additional support may be needed.

5. Apply practical self-care strategies – Identify and use approaches such as mindfulness, relaxation and sustaining activities to support personal wellbeing, resilience and workplace satisfaction.

6. Promote a supportive team environment – Recognise how organisational culture and working conditions influence staff wellbeing, and identify ways teams and managers can work together to reduce stress and foster psychological safety.