Centring practitioner wellbeing: the difference it makes to supporting service user wellbeing and provision

Kay Louise Aldred introduces our Neurodivergent Wellbeing Approach Training. This holistic, well-being focused training programme is open to neurodivergent individuals, their families and friends, as well as professionals including hospital teams, community teams, educators, third sector groups. NdWA training comprises eight online sessions, running from 30 January—26 March 2024. More information here.

Centring practitioner wellbeing is a crucial, yet often forgotten or dismissed aspect of creating a sustainable and effective service. When health care, social care or educational professionals are supported and prioritised in terms of their own physical, mental, and emotional health, it can have a profound impact on service user, client or student wellbeing and overall service provision.  

Here at Neurodiverse Connection, we take the importance of practitioner wellbeing and regulation very seriously and our bespoke Neurodivergent Wellbeing Training is based on the concept of ‘experience to share’.  Uniquely, it is a wellbeing programme for attendees themselves primarily, that they can then role model and share with people they work with.  

Recent feedback from a multi-disciplinary NHS Trust team, made up of administrators, managers, nurse practitioners and psychologists who collectively underwent the training emphasised that it is this lens and focus which makes the programme distinctive in its application and success. Their key takeaways from the training included:  

Focus on my own regulation to be co-regulating with others

Self-compassion is a take home message

Consider tolerance and capacity of self and others

Focus on self-care needs to be prioritised

Be more mindful of regulation of staff when supporting inpatient services

Self-reflection of on own wellbeing and making this a priority

So why does centring practitioner wellbeing make a difference in supporting service users and enhancing service provision? 

More effective in meeting needs in an individualised way

When practitioners are physically and mentally well, they are better able to coregulate and focus on the individual needs of each patient, make tailored clinical decisions, and deliver more compassionate and empathetic care.  

Teamwork and Collaboration

Practitioners who feel supported and valued are more likely to coregulate and work as a team with their colleagues. This improved communication fosters collaboration, creating a positive and supportive work environment and community. A collaborative healthcare team is better equipped to address complex patient cases and provide comprehensive and complete care.  

Reduced Burnout and Staff Turnover

Prioritising practitioner wellbeing safeguards against burnout, a significant issue in the statutory services. Reduced burnout leads to lower turnover rates, ensuring continuity of care for patients. This stability is essential for building strong patient-practitioner relationships and maintaining consistent and effective service provision. 

Job Satisfaction and Staff Retention

Practitioners who are satisfied with their jobs are more likely to be engaged in their work. Higher job satisfaction translates to increased motivation, productivity, and a cheerful outlook towards patient care. Patients benefit from interactions with professionals who are energised, holistically well and happy in their work.  

Preventive Care

Well-supported practitioners are more likely to engage in ongoing professional development, staying updated on the latest medical research and advancements. This translates to an initiative-taking approach to service user care, with a focus on specialist, evidence based, preventive measures alongside early intervention, leading to better outcomes. 

A Service-Wide ‘Well’ Culture

 Systems that prioritise practitioner wellbeing fosters an organisational culture of wellbeing. This culture emphasises a commitment to the wellbeing of everyone. Such an environment promotes a person-centred approach to work and care, ensuring that services and workplace norms are tailored to meet the diverse needs the whole organisation. This fosters value and belonging and therefore commitment to providing and engaging with the service.  

A Trauma-Informed Approach

 Service providers are often face traumatic, challenging and emotionally demanding situations. Well-supported and regulated practitioners are better equipped to digest stress responses and process vicarious trauma and are less likely to experience compassion fatigue. This is essential for maintaining consistent, high-quality care and service even in challenging circumstances. 

In summary, centring practitioner wellbeing has a ripple effect on patient wellbeing and service provision. A care and education system that values and supports its practitioners and teachers creates a positive feedback loop, where well professionals contribute to improved service user outcomes and the overall effectiveness of services.   

Prioritising practitioner wellbeing is not only an ethical imperative but also a strategic investment in the long-term success and sustainability of health, social and educational systems. 


Kay Louise Aldred

Associate (she/her)

Kay is passionate about increasing awareness of the gifts of neurodivergence. She is late diagnosed autistic, has parented neurodivergent children of her own and has taught 11-18 year old neurodiverse students. Kay has worked pastorally and therapeutically with children and adults throughout her whole career within educational, retreat and wellness settings. Currently she offers Disability Student Allowance (DSA) specialist university mentoring for autistic students.

@kaylouisealdred

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