Working in adult social care can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also be demanding. Supporting people with complex needs, managing workloads, responding to challenging situations, and balancing work with personal responsibilities can all place pressure on our health and wellbeing.

Stress is a natural response to situations that we perceive as challenging, demanding, or overwhelming. In small amounts, stress can help us stay focused and motivated. However, when stress becomes prolonged or difficult to manage, it can begin to affect our physical health, emotional wellbeing, relationships, and performance at work.

Recognising the signs of stress early is an important step towards maintaining good mental and physical health.

Stress management is about developing the awareness, skills, and support needed to cope effectively with life’s challenges. This may involve looking after your physical health, building resilience, managing your workload, maintaining healthy boundaries, seeking support when needed, and making time for activities that help you rest and recover.

This toolkit aims to provide general information, practical guidance, and resources to support a proactive and preventative approach to stress and stress management. It is intended for educational purposes and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.