Assignment 301 Principles of communication in adult social care settings
Question Booklet
Task A Question and Answers
Ai Identify four different reasons why people communicate.
Aii Explain how effective communication can affect relationships in an adult social care setting between:
a) Colleagues and other professionals Marks
Communication is the basis of all relationship regardless of whether the relationship is professional or personal. Effective communication is important as it helps to pass clear, concise, informative and accurate information in order to decrease and eliminate the possibility of mistakes and risks to the people I am working with. Sharing the appropriate information throughout communication aid us to build a strong belief, good team and strong relationship with colleagues, service users and other practitioners.
b) Individuals using the service and their carers Marks
Social care workers work as a team in different settings to help/support/care for people with different needs i.e. disabilities, children, elderly, vulnerable people. Because of the nature of the job, it is really important that they communicate well with each other. They need to be able to advocate for those they care for and it's impossible to do without communicating clearly with one another, explaining things well and being open to opinions/advice from both colleagues and supervisors
Aiii Using the table below, identify three ways of finding out the communication and language needs of an individual. For each method, describe how effective it is at establishing the needs of the individual.
Marks
Method | How effective is this method? |
1.Observation | By observing someone closely can be realised which language should be used, or whether there is any disability or illness. If there is a learning disability or hearing or visual impairment then particular method or style of communication should apply for establishing effective communication. |
2.Studying previous records or case histories | Previous records and case histories helps to identify the individual’s particular illness or disability and what kind of support does individual need to establish in order to accomplish the communication and language needs. |
3.Communicating with family, friends and colleagues | Family, friends and colleagues who will have a great deal of information about a service user. They will have developed ways of dealing with communication and language possibly over a long period of time. |
Aiv Describe three factors to consider when promoting effective communication.
Disabilities: Disabilities such as hearing loss, impaired vision, mobility problems or speech impairment can affect the effective communication. Proper communication method should be known and pre-aware of before communicating the people with disability or different health issues.
Cultural Differences: Communication differences can result from differences in culture. In some cultures, children are not allowed to speak in front of adult and some kind of body gesture, eye contact, facial expression and touch are inappropriate.
Environment: Environment is one of the most important factor to consider as well. Ensure the lights, air, temperature, noise, crowd, safe and comfortability in correct measure before establishing effective communication.
Av Describe three verbal and three non verbal communication methods and styles that a social care worker may use in an adult care setting.
Marks
verbal | non verbal |
1.speaking-using different tone and pitch of voice | writing |
2.singing | signing eg makaton |
3.sounds | touch |
Avi Explain why it is important to respond to an individual’s reactions during communication.
Without respond it is unclear whether message received or not. And how it has been taken by receiver. If respond does not come up it is likely to understand that the message has not been received and or individual lose interest of communication in such conversation or situation. Responding positively to the reaction of an individual can communicate in difficult issues.
Avii Explain how an individual’s background can influence their communication methods.
Communication is about much more than words being exchanged between two people – it is influenced by a great many factors. The way in which they brought up and the society and culture that they live in has a great effect on the way in which they communicate. In some cultures children are not allowed to speak in the presence of certain adult. Some people may have been brought up in a background of challenging environment. Some women do not speak in front of other man out of family. These factors will highly influence the way they communicate and to establish communication with these groups of people.
Aviii Identify three examples of barriers to communication and explain how you could overcome each barrier.
Barrier | How it can be overcome |
Physical Barrier | Identifying the preferred method of communication and using appropriate method to establish communication. Methods are body language, gesture, touch, eye contact, facial expression, clear spoken language, makaton, minicom or type talk, writing, drawing and picture. |
Language differences | Providing interpreter or translator service. Using makaton, body language, gesture, drawing and picture. |
Cultural Differences | Checking individual’s record, speaking to a family member or friends or someone else who is from same culture or through the country’s cultural representative. |
Aix Describe two strategies that you could use to clarify misunderstandings.
Be polite and ask kindly
Be understanding for a opinion different from yours talking things through being honest
Ax A social care worker wants to enable more effective communication with individuals using the service. Explain how they could access extra support or services that may be helpful.
You could contact the Stroke Association, the Deaf Association, Blind Institute, etc., etc., depending on the reason for the problem in communication.
For a person who cannot communicate effectively, there are other ways to do so.......write notes to the person, point at objects, draw things, e.g. a cup, to suggest a drink. You could use "mimes", e.g. do the movement of turning a steering wheel, to suggest going in the car