As a Welfare Officer

What can you do as a Welfare Officer?

The following is a brief selection of points that may be helpful to Welfare Officers and others in a similar role – it’s a starting point, not a definitive guide.

Many people feel nervous discussing eating disorders, and many people find the idea of supporting someone with an eating disorder frightening. It can often be very difficult to help someone help themselves or to find the right things to say. However, there are positive steps that you can take to help someone with an eating disorder. The most important thing is not to be frightened – eating disorders can be deeply distressing, but many people successfully recover from them. It’s not your job to ‘cure’ the problem – the decision whether or not to seek help, and whether or not to recover, is the sufferer’s. The fact that someone is talking to you is a positive sign – and it’s worth bearing in mind that this may have been very difficult for them.

Some points to bear in mind:

- Eating disorders can be manifestations of deeper problems which will take time to address properly – simply getting the person to eat does not solve these.

- Many people who approach you will be looking for reassurance and information, rather than direct action.

- An eating disorder affects friends and other people, as well as the sufferer. It is important that if someone is concerned about a friend, that they have support as well

- As with any casework it is important that you set sensible limits to help both yourself and the other person.

- Many cases will need to be referred on. You are not a counsellor and some cases will need professional help. However, if a person refuses to do this, then you must not feel you have failed – ultimately, it is their decision, and it may take someone a long time to come round to the idea.

- Many eating disorders take a great deal of time and energy to overcome, so don’t feel bad if you have done your best and the sufferer still has disordered eating habits.

Key issues:

Confidentiality: As a welfare provider, it’s very important that you know what your policy/ your organisation's policy on confidentiality is. If you don't have one, get one! You have to be comfortable with it, and think through how it will work in practice. The important thing is, whatever the policy, to be clear and honest about it in advance. If there are circumstances under which you would breach confidentiality, then make sure the person understands that before you start. It’s a good idea to have the policy on display, if you have a set place for welfare work. (More information on potential types of confidentiality policy are available in the OUSU Rough Guide to Welfare and Equal Opportunities). It’s not a problem to have a policy that allows you to break confidentiality under certain circumstances; it is a problem if you let someone believe that this is not the case.

Setting limits: With any casework it is vital that you set appropriate limits to protect yourself and the other person. This is especially important for difficult issues such as eating disorders, which can take a lot of time and energy. Nobody expects a Welfare Officer to cure an eating disorder. You have the right and responsibility to set appropriate limits:

- If you feel that you are spending too much time with some casework, let the other person know that you have other commitments. You might want to reassure them that you will be available at another time (for example, after a deadline) or if you are really pushed for time you might want to suggest another welfare provider who might be able to see them sooner or for longer.

- If you don’t feel comfortable talking to the other person then let them know that you might not be the best person to talk to, and suggest another welfare provider.

- If you think that the person might be helped by another organisation (for example the Counselling Service) then talk this through with them, and explain the options available. You could offer to help them make an appointment, or accompany them to their first appointment.

- At the end of the day, you are entitled to limit your involvement; there are things that you cannot do and be – you certainly can’t be a counsellor, or provide round the clock support, however much you might want to.

- Accepting that you are not in the best situation to support someone yourself is not something to be ashamed of, and is a skill that is very valuable. Knowing when to refer someone on, or taking a short break from casework is part of being a good welfare provider.

- Make sure that you are supported too. If you begin to feel unhappy or distressed about the other person then it is often a good idea to talk it over with someone in confidence (eg a Peer Supporter, Nightline.)

- Finally, make sure that your role as a welfare provider is very well defined. You should be able to listen to the person, provide information to them, and refer them on if necessary.

Taling to someone with an eating disorder: When talking to a sufferer it is often difficult to find the right words. People can come across as being insensitive and there may well be concepts that you just can’t grasp. Here are a few points:

- Be honest with the other person, especially if you don’t really understand what they are saying.

- Don’t draw attention to their weight or the shape of their body.

- Be patient. Eating disorders are often difficult to talk about and it may take the other person a while to put their feelings into words.

- Don’t be afraid to look things up or refer to handbooks if you need to.

- Don’t pretend to know something that you don’t.

- Understand that an eating disorder is usually not all about food, and that the other person may not want to talk about their eating habits as much as other issues.

- Make sure you set sensible limits in terms of time, and give yourself a break afterwards.

 Should I interfere? Welfare officers often ask what they ought to do if they know or strongly suspect that someone in college has an eating disorder, but no one approaches them about it. People often feel they ought to say something, especially if no one else appears to be. There’s no right answer here. Sometimes, being approached is the first step for that person; at others the interference could make things worse. In some circumstances, it might be worth approaching the person’s friends. In others, it might be worth discussing your concerns with someone involved in welfare provision, perhaps out of college, or in an anonymised way. Obviously, the situation changes slightly if you are concerned for the person’s immediate safety, but often in these cases that’s not the primary issue. If you do approach someone, be prepared to be rejected, and in the end, to have to respect their privacy if they do not want to talk about the situation. It’s definitely something to think carefully about, and to approach with sensitivity, and certainly not something where you should feel obliged either to interfere or not to interfere. Much of the Helping a friend section (p. XX) is relevant here as well.

Helping friends of sufferers: You may well find that friends approach you; many people who know someone with an eating disorder will want to talk it over with a welfare provider, and its important to take this very seriously – it can be a deeply distressing experience. They may also want reassurance or have some questions that they want answering. It is important to be honest when giving information or answering questions; if you don’t know the answer, or if you need some time to look up some information or get some leaflets then let the person know and reassure them that there is information and help available. Supporting a friend or family member with an eating disorder is demanding and an ongoing process, so it important that the supporter feels that they can talk about their feelings with a welfare provider.

Academic implications: Be aware of any academic implications for the person – this may not be relevant, but if they are thinking of taking time out, or are experiencing problems with college, it’s important that they are supported here as well. If the person agrees, it might be worth speaking to your Academic Affairs Officer, if you have one, or the OUSU Student Advice Service under these circumstances, to make sure that you have the necessary information. Colleges can be very supportive, but its always a good idea to deal with any problems in this area as quickly as possible, or even better, pre-empt them.

What information is available? This guide is a good start to get some useful facts and contacts about eating disorders, and should answer some immediate questions that you may have. See the ‘Support’ section for details of other welfare services within Oxford. b-eat (formerly The Eating Disorders Association) has an impressive collection of information about the various eating disorders and health issues, as well as extensive reading lists for additional information. Mind is a national mental health organisation which provides leaflets on several issues ranging from eating disorders to anxiety. OUSU also publishes welfare handbooks: if you need any copies of publications for your common room then contact the Vice President (Welfare and Equal Opportunities).