The impact of compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma and burnout risk on care workers working in children’s residential homes

Abstract

This research aims to explore the effects of vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, and the risk of burnout on para-professionals such as care workers in children's residential homes. The objective is to understand how care-workers continue to function in their work with children who have experienced trauma, whilst experiencing the effects of secondary trauma and the risk of burnout themselves. In particular, this research aims to give a voice to all support workers currently working in residential care homes and hear their experiences, thoughts, and feelings that surround this very challenging yet rewarding role. Data was collected qualitatively, whereby six support workers working in children’s residential care homes were interviewed and analysed using thematic analysis. The conversations that occurred throughout these interviews mainly centered on the subjects of the role of the support worker, countertransference, exhaustion, the driving force behind this role and lastly, the cruciality of self-care. Local research related to the experience of the above in residential home staff is very limited and the aim behind this research is to bring forward more awareness regarding this. The findings of this research will aim to present the difficulties and hardships care workers face when working in a residential community home with minors who have endured trauma of some sort and the emotional exhaustion that is involved. The findings of this research could pertain to counselors, supervisors, managers, and leaders as well as have implications for staff training.