Social Workers' Experiences of Working With Support Workers in Services for Adults With Intellectual Disabilities in Hong Kong

Abstract

Background

Services for adults with intellectual disabilities in Hong Kong have a hierarchical staffing structure. Professional social workers, who performed as mid-level employees, work with frontline support workers to deliver services to clients.

Methods

This qualitative study explored social workers' experiences of working with support workers through in-depth interviews with 13 participants.

Findings

The study revealed that social workers perceived a significant variation between themselves and support workers in terms of working motivation, values and attitudes towards clients with intellectual disabilities. Despite the hierarchical relationships, social workers and support workers share the power of service decision-making. Social workers used firm and gentle approaches to facilitate changes in practices to uphold service values. These findings were compared with Western literature on this topic, indicating similarities and differences.

Conclusion

The organisations need to facilitate an effective collaboration between social workers and support workers to enhance the quality of services for adults with intellectual disabilities in Hong Kong.