The Crucial Well-being of Social Workers and Caregivers
Social workers and caregivers form the backbone of support systems for families, children, and vulnerable groups, yet their own well-being often takes a backseat. As they navigate the complexities of abuse cases and family crises, the question arises: who looks after them?
Prioritizing Self-Care
Dr. Asma Al Fahim, Executive Director of the Family Cases Sector at the Family Care Authority in Abu Dhabi, underscores the necessity for social workers and caregivers to prioritize their well-being. Speaking at the Social Care Forum Second Edition on September 24, 2025, she emphasized the importance of recognizing personal limits and the significance of self-care before reaching a breaking point.
“It’s fine not to feel well; it’s acceptable to be emotionally sensitive towards the cases you work on, and it’s definitely fine to seek help,” Dr. Al Fahim stated, challenging the stigma that often surrounds mental health in caregiving professions.
Strategies for Resilience
Dr. Al Fahim advocates for accessible counselling, therapeutic sessions, and communities of practice designed to help social workers recharge and build resilience. “Each person should know what helps them recover and grow stronger,” she stated, reminding attendees that social work is driven not only by financial motives but by a deep-rooted desire to make a difference. “That’s why I shifted from finance to social work,” she added, highlighting her personal commitment to the humanitarian aspect of the field.
The Need for Workforce Expansion
The forum also tackled the global shortage of social workers. Raphaela Hyee, an economist at the OECD in France, noted that by 2030, approximately 3 million additional social workers will be needed worldwide. This echoed Dr. Al Fahim’s assertion that in the UAE, the demand for social workers depends significantly on the functional efficiency of existing systems in education, health, and social care sectors. By ensuring that social workers are adequately supported, the overall demand may decrease.
The Broad Scope of Care Needs
Andrea Petrelli, a social protection expert, further elaborated on the pressing need for care worldwide. An impressive 2.1 billion people currently require care, with that figure projected to rise to 2.3 billion by 2030. The care workforce, making up about 11.5% of global employment, predominantly operates within the health and education sectors.
Beyond formal employment, volunteering, and unpaid care work form a significant portion of caregiving. Globally, 16.4 billion hours of unpaid care work are performed each day, equating to about 2 billion full-time jobs. In many Arab states, women disproportionately bear the brunt, performing 4.7 times more unpaid care work than their male counterparts.
Viewing Care as a Public Good
Petrelli stressed that care should not merely be a household obligation but recognized as a public good pivotal for societal stability. “Investing in the care economy strengthens entire labor markets and societies,” she stated. This perspective underlines that care work—whether compensated or unpaid—forms the framework supporting family well-being and community health.
To ensure the sustainability of the sector as demand continues to rise, Petrelli advocates for policies that support both formal and informal caregivers. These include fair compensation, comprehensive training, and mental health support.
The Path Forward
The discussions at the forum reflect a growing recognition of the complexities surrounding caregiving, highlighting a systemic approach needed to improve the welfare of social workers and those they serve. As caregivers face unprecedented challenges, the focus must broaden from just addressing immediate care needs to nurturing the caregivers themselves, ensuring both their well-being and the quality of care provided to vulnerable populations.
In an era where the needs for compassionate care continue to increase, the importance of equipping social workers with the tools and support to thrive cannot be overstated.
