The impacts of client death on health and social care staff

Literature Review

Eight studies with a focus on home care workers (HCWs) and experiences of client death were critically reviewed. A meta-synthesis identified four interrelated themes: 'Personal Grief: The impact of loss', 'Disenfranchised Grief: No space for humanity and connection', 'We have to try to move on … but it's hard: Inherent tension between self-care and organisational expectations' and 'I wish someone was there to talk to: HCW support needs'. The findings demonstrate that home care workers are affected in multiple ways by a client's death, but these impacts are not consistently recognised or responded to by their organisations. Recommendations are made for actions that organisations can take to support HCWs’ wellbeing.

Research Report

Informed Grounded Theory was used to explore the experiences of fourteen UK Children's Social Workers when a child they supported died suddenly or unexpectedly and the factors which affected their experience of this. Four themes were identified: 'The reality of Social Work', 'Organisational cultures', 'Enduring impacts' and 'The need for systemic action'. A model is outlined where the broader context of social work interconnects with the organisational culture and the enduring impacts for workers within this, all linked to a need for systemic action in the profession. Implications for Social Workers' wellbeing are discussed.