<p>Care work in learning disability services has long been seen to be a stressful occupation (Colligan et al 1997) and the literature in this area is growing. Payne (1999) described stress as referring to a process which involves some factors that cause or precipitate individuals to think they are unable to cope with the situation facing them. Resulting feelings can include anxiety, tension, frustration and anger, which arise from the recognition that they are failing in some way and the situation is getting out of their control. Staff members in the human service field spend a great deal of time in intense interaction with other people. Stress can arise from this intense involvement and chronic stress can lead to burnout (Caton et al 1988).</p>