The adult social care industry plays a vital role in supporting some of the most vulnerable members of our society – those who are elderly, disabled, or living with long-term health conditions. Whether in residential homes, supported living services, or in-home care settings, adult social care workers carry out challenging and rewarding work every day. However, it’s also an industry where employees face a unique set of occupational risks and pressures. At Acorn Occupational Health, we’re here to support the wellbeing, safety, and productivity of this essential workforce.
What Is Adult Social Care?
Adult social care refers to the range of services and support available to help adults maintain their independence, dignity, and quality of life. This includes assistance with daily activities such as washing, dressing, eating, medication, and mobility, as well as emotional and social support. Services can be provided in care homes, day centres, or within people’s own homes. Services are delivered by a diverse workforce including care assistants, support workers, nurses, and management teams.
Key Occupational Risks and Hazards in Social Care
Working in adult social care presents several occupational health challenges due to the nature of the work, which often combines physical effort, emotional labour, and exposure to biological hazards. Common risks and issues include:
- Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)
Manual handling is a core part of many care roles, including lifting or transferring individuals, assisting with mobility, and repositioning in beds or chairs. Poor ergonomics and incorrect handling techniques can lead to chronic back pain, joint injuries, and other musculoskeletal issues.
- Work-Related Stress and Mental Health
Caring for vulnerable individuals can be emotionally demanding. High workloads, staff shortages, emotional strain from dealing with suffering or death can contribute to stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout.
- Exposure to Infections
Close contact with service users means a higher risk of exposure to infectious diseases such as COVID-19, norovirus, hepatitis, and seasonal flu. Without proper vaccination or infection control measures, staff are at risk and could transmit illnesses to others.
- Skin Conditions
Frequent hand washing and glove use can lead to skin conditions like dermatitis, particularly if suitable skin care or hand hygiene products are not provided or used properly.
- Violence and Aggression
Some workers may face challenging behaviour, including verbal or physical aggression from service users with dementia, mental health conditions, or cognitive impairments. This can result in both physical injury and psychological trauma.
How Acorn Occupational Health Can Support the Adult Social Care Sector
At Acorn, we understand the specific needs of the adult social care workforce and offer tailored occupational health services to safeguard staff wellbeing, reduce sickness absence, and improve retention.
Our management referral service helps employers gain expert clinical insight into an employee’s health issues. Whether it’s determining fitness for work, understanding the impact of a condition, or planning reasonable adjustments, our team provides clear, practical advice to support both the employee and employer.
We offer various ergonomic assessments to identify poor working practices and physical strain risks. Our ergonomic services are especially valuable in reducing the risk of musculoskeletal injuries through improved posture, better equipment, and safe handling techniques.
For staff who frequently use hand sanitiser, gloves, or work in environments where skin irritants are common, we provide regular skin surveillance to detect early signs of occupational dermatitis and recommend effective interventions.
We offer a range of vaccines, including flu, hepatitis A, and hepatitis B to help protect care staff and service users from preventable diseases. Our vaccination programmes are quick, efficient, and compliant with health and safety regulations.
We are currently taking orders for the 2025 flu vaccination season, and encourage care providers to book early to secure their preferred dates. Annual flu vaccination is a vital part of protecting your workforce and the people they support, especially in high-risk environments like adult social care.
Mental Health Support
Through services like counselling, listening services, and stress audits, we help care workers and managers build resilience, manage mental health conditions, and return to work safely after periods of stress or illness.
Prioritising People in Care and Those Who Care for Them
Supporting staff wellbeing in adult social care isn’t just good practice – it’s essential to delivering high-quality care. At Acorn Occupational Health, we’re proud to support care providers across the UK with expert and compassionate occupational health services.
Whether you’re looking to reduce absence, retain your team, or respond to a particular health issue, we’re here to help.
Contact Us:
📞 Call: 01260 277797
📧 Email: website@acornoh.co.uk