Communication Case Essay

Communication allows ideas to be conveyed clearly and succinctly. Communication is crucial for developing positive relationships with children, young people and their families, colleagues and other professionals We communicate to express our emotions like courage or fear, joy or sorrow, satisfaction or disappointment with appropriate gestures and words. Communication is vital for seeking and providing information. AiiDescribe TWO ways how effective communication can affect relationships in an adult social care setting between individuals using the service, their carer’s, colleagues and other practitioners. 1. Effective communication is the basis of all relationship regardless of whether the relationship is professional or personal. It is important as it helps to give concise and clear information and eliminate the possibility of risks to patients. 2. Also with effective communication there would be a positive atmosphere within the work place and colleagues would be more willing to help each other out. Staff would know where everything is and also offer extra support with your workload. AiiiIdentify 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. Method How effective this method is? Looking through previous records Previous records can identify the individual’s illness or disability and what kind of support they will need to establish communication and language needs. Observation Observation is effective as it is establishing the communication and language by watching/talking to the patient themselves. Communication with family/other professionals Family, friends and other professional who have worked/lived with the patient will have a lot on information/knowledge on the patient. They would have developed ways of dealing with the patient’s communication and language over a long time. AivDescribe 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 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 factors to consider. Ensure the lights, air, temperature, noise and that it is safe and comfortable for the patient before establishing effective communication. AvDescribe THREE verbal and THREE non-verbal communication methods and styles that a social care worker may use in an adult setting. Verbal Non Verbal Spoken – When people speak face-to-face or via the phone it’s considered verbal communication Body language/Body movements – Body movements include gestures, posture, head and hand movements or whole body movements Written – writing is considered a form of verbal communication because words are involved. Eye contact – It is important to give eye contact as it helps the person know that you are listening Non-spoken – A person doesn’t have to speak words for a communication to be considered verbal. A groan can qualify. In fact, any noises or utterances a person makes are included in this classification. Posture – Posture can reflect people’s emotions, attitudes and intentions. Avi Explain why it is important to respond to an individual’s reactions during communication. It is important to respond to an individual’s reactions during communication because it shows you are actively taking part in a conversation. It also shows that you are listening. With no listening there really isn’t a conversation happening. If you are listening passively, then you are giving little or no feedback. If you are like this, then you are unlikely to make coherent responses. Avii Explain how an individual’s background can influence their communication methods. An individual’s background can influence their communication methods by the way in which they are 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 adults. Some people may have been brought up in a background of challenging environments. Some women do not speak in front of other men out of family. These factors will highly influence the way they communicate and to establish communication with these groups of people. Also there may be a language barrier which would influence communication methods. Aviii Identify three examples of barriers to communication and explain how you could overcome each barrier. Barrier How it can over come Language differences You can overcome this by identifying the preferred communication method and using the appropriate method to communicate. Culture differences You can overcome this by providing an interpreter or translator service. Using makaton, body language and pictures etc. Physical Barrier You could overcome this by checking the individual’s record, speaking to a family member or friends or through the country’s cultural representative. Aix Describe two strategies that you could use to clarify misunderstandings. 1. Be polite and ask kindly in a calm professional manner. 2. Writing instructions clearly and concisely. Ask the them to repeat what I have said to ensure clear understanding. AxA 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. Translation services – This service can help with changing the written text from one language to another. Interpreting services – This service can help with converting spoken language to another language. Speech and language services – This service can support people who have had a stroke and have problems with their speech. Advocacy services – This service can support people who are unable to speak up for themselves. This service tries to understand the needs, wishes and preferences of people, and will argue on their behalf.