Reading List

A curated Reading List to support and extend learning from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Care Staff.

This course presents ACT-informed tools for managing stress and self-criticism. The resources below cover care-sector wellbeing, workplace stress, mindfulness and acceptance-based coping, and official support routes across the UK.

1. Care-Sector Wellbeing and Workplace Guidance

• CQC - Workforce wellbeing and enablement
  Explains why staff wellbeing, safe working conditions, feedback and personalised support matter for good adult social care in England.
  https://www.cqc.org.uk/guidance-regulation/providers/assessment/single-assessment-framework/caring/workforce-wellbeing-enablement

• Skills for Care - Wellbeing resource finder
  Resources for social care on wellbeing, resilience, bereavement, mental health and workplace wellbeing culture.
  https://www.skillsforcare.org.uk/Support-for-leaders-and-managers/Managing-people/Wellbeing/Workforce-wellbeing-finder/Wellbeing-resource-finder.aspx

• NICE - Mental wellbeing at work (NG212)
  UK guidance on workplace culture, prevention and mental wellbeing at work. Useful for recognising that staff stress also needs organisational action.
  https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng212

• HSE - Stress and mental health at work
  The Health and Safety Executive hub on work-related stress, risk assessment, management standards and employer responsibilities in Great Britain.
  https://www.hse.gov.uk/stress/

2. ACT, Mindfulness and Practical Self-Help

• Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust - Techniques to help you
  NHS psychological wellbeing techniques, including acceptance-based and mindfulness approaches that complement the skills introduced in this course.
  https://www.northumbria.nhs.uk/our-services/health-psychology/techniques-help-you

• NHS Every Mind Matters - Work-related stress
  A plain-language NHS guide to recognising work-related stress and practical in-the-moment coping strategies.
  https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/lifes-challenges/work-related-stress/

• NHS Inform - Breathing and relaxation exercises
  Practical breathing and relaxation exercises to support grounding and present-moment awareness.
  https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/mental-wellbeing/breathing-and-relaxation-exercises/

3. Social Care Workforce Resources Across the Four Nations

• England - Skills for Care wellbeing resources
  Social-care resources for workforce wellbeing and workplace culture.
  https://www.skillsforcare.org.uk/Support-for-leaders-and-managers/Managing-people/Wellbeing/Workforce-wellbeing-finder/Wellbeing-resource-finder.aspx

• Scotland - SSSC Workforce wellbeing
  Scottish Social Services Council resources and signposting for the social service workforce, including the National Wellbeing Hub.
  https://www.sssc.uk.com/supporting-your-learning/workforce-wellbeing/

• Wales - Social Care Wales: Your health and well-being
  Health and wellbeing resources for social care, early years and childcare workers in Wales.
  https://socialcare.wales/resources-guidance/health-and-well-being-resources

• Northern Ireland - nidirect Workplace stress
  A Northern Ireland government resource on workplace stress, warning signs, responsibilities and practical next steps.
  https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/workplace-stress

Use these resources to deepen practical skills in ACT-informed coping, learn about staff wellbeing practice, and find official support when stress requires more than self-help.