These different reasons stated, amongst others, are important in the work setting and no more so than as a practitioner working with vulnerable young adults. Within my work setting of support, I communicate to: • Inform and update colleagues during handover and meetings about the residents whereabouts, conduct and finances where relevant • Develop a rapport of trust, support and encouragement with the residents • Work alongside and support my colleagues Communication between two people or a group of people is paramount to understanding and being understood.
This can be achieved in many ways such as through verbal, visual, signed, audio, written or even gestures such as eye contact and mannerisms. Through this people are able to debate and discuss information they need and/or want to with others which is essential
...in every day life. Without communication, people would not be able to do their job correctly and provide the service they are required to do. 1. 2. Explain how communication affects relationships in the work setting Communication is an essential component to developing a positive and strong relationship with someone or a group of people.
Through communication, it is possible to build trust and understanding which in turn leads to a good working environment with colleagues where things are achieved through working together holistically. In my work setting, it is imperative that the people I am supporting feel that they have someone in me that they can trust and confide in. Through effective communication, a positive relationship can be formed where they are then more likely to accept my help and encouragement to achieve the outcomes that are in thei
best interest.
Outcome 2: Be able to meet the communication and language needs, wishes and preferences of individuals 2. 2. Describe the factors to consider when promoting effective communication It’s important to note that the words you use to communicate with people are not the only cue’s taken into consideration when they are interpreting the thoughts and feelings you’re trying to convey. Therefore, being conscious of other factors when communicating with people can be just as important as the words actually spoken. One example of this is facial expression as our faces tend to indicate the emotion that we are feeling.
This may be through smiling and wide eyes showing happiness to flushed and tensed facial muscles portraying anger. When promoting effective communication, we must consider and be aware of factors such as tone, mannerisms, personal space and posture in order to help people understand what we are trying to say. Communication needs to be adapted to suit the individual or audience who we are addressing with our message, so all the aforementioned factors should be taken into consideration to achieve this. This is all the more important for those people who certain methods of communication would not be at all appropriate or constructive towards.
An example of this is using gestures or facial expressions to blind or partially sighted people or verbal communication to those who are deaf or hard of hearing. Outcome 3: Be able to overcome barriers to communication 3. 1. Explain how people from different backgrounds may use and/or interpret communication methods in different ways Our culture and society has large influences on many aspects about us such
as knowledge and understanding. The way we communicate is another of these features and it’s important to acknowledge how people from different backgrounds may use and/or interpret communication methods in different ways.
It’s important to observe the person you want to communicate with in order to see how they communicate and how it may differ from you. Through observation, it’s possible to establish which language is being used, any sensory impairment and/or any disability be it physical, developmental or cognitive. These characteristics may determine the use and/or interpretation of communication so it’s vital to understand and know each individual needs so effective communication can be made.
For example, when there is a language barrier, gestures and facial expressions may be emphasised when trying to communicate towards one another or those with a hearing impairment may use sign language along with those movements to be able to communicate effectively. People use all types of communication methods so although observation is important, one should also consult other colleagues and professionals who have worked with the individual and view case notes to gain more background knowledge on the communication means most effective for them.
It’s important to acknowledge that factors such as tone, personal space and posture can also affect the way people interpret what you are trying to convey to them so this needs to be taken into account also when developing effective communication between you and the individual. 3. 2. Identify barriers to effective communication There are numerous barriers to effective communication between people and it’s important to recognise them in order to overcome them and gain mutual understanding.
Barriers for me
or the person I am trying to communicate with can, for example, be due to cognitive, developmental or physical disabilities, sensory impairments, speaking different languages, cultural differences and being in an emotional or distressed state. In order to effectively communicate, one must be aware of these barriers and consistently check that you are being understood to decrease their potential negative impact. 3. 5. Explain how to access extra support or services to enable individuals to communicate effectively
It may be that while working in my work environment, the person that I’m supporting may require specialised support within a remit that I do not cover. Therefore it’s important to know what outside resources are available to help this person to be able to effectively communicate by dealing with their personal circumstances. These may range from people who are bereaved through to those who may be feeling depressed and are at risk of harming themselves, but no matter what the situation, it’s vital to know of the services that can also support the person in need.
This can be achieved by referring to outside agencies that can provide the support that I may not be able to offer. Within my work setting, there are young people who have needed to be referred to such organisations, for example Aquarius can be accessed if a person is struggling with alcohol and drug problems or Women’s Aid had they ever suffered from domestic and/or sexual abuse and are wanting to be supported through this.
It’s important I have the contact details of extra support services are they ever needed by the people I’m supporting. Outcome 4: Be
able to apply principles and practices relating to confidentiality 4. 1. Explain the meaning of the term confidentiality Confidentiality is keeping information safe and limited to those who are required and have the right to access it. An organisation that provides direct support services, such as the one I work in, and keeps files on said people must keep this personal and private information confidential.
This is required under the The Data Protection Act 1998, however, under this and the Access to Personal Files Act 1987, people are able to view their own personal records as they have a right to see what has been filed about them. Once a file has been created for someone in my work, it must be protected and stored somewhere locked and safe so it’s important that this information is not left open for anyone to see. This is the same whether written down or entered onto a computer.
The computers within my project lock after 3 minutes of inactivity meaning that if you have to leave your desk suddenly and don’t have time to lock it yourself, it will automatically do it in order to protect the data stored on the computer as you cannot gain access without your password and username. It’s important for the information recorded in people’s files to be factual, clear, not subjective or opinionated, accurate and only about the person concerned.
The purpose of these records is to be able to refer to the required relevant information of someone in the future and have all the evidence and details to hand in a clear and concise form. This may be
for the understanding of another worker, professional or colleague in order to provide background knowledge of said person and in turn make decisions for the support that may be needed. 4. 3. Describe the potential tension between maintaining an individual’s confidentiality and disclosing concerns
People legally have the right to confidentiality and the expectations that their personal information will be kept private to those they have disclosed it to. However, there are exceptions to this rule which comes in the form of information that causes concern higher than what you are capable or expected to sufficiently deal with. Most often, this concern may be of that person, someone else or even yourself is at risk of potential harm. If this was the case within my work, then it’d be essential to share the information that was learned in confidence with my manager to decide what course of action to take.
I, however, must not share this information any further without consultation and consent from senior colleagues. If this situation arises, there’s the risk that breaking this persons confidentiality for the right intentions may cause damage to the relationship you have built for them to have been able to disclose what they did in the first place. It’s important that the person in question is informed and explained why I would need to share what they have told me before doing so to attempt to retain the relationship, trust and have an understanding of my reasons for doing this.
The welfare of the person I am supporting or anyone that may be put at risk is a sufficient reason to break this confidentiality.
I would also tell them directly what I would be sharing so they do not cause distress to themselves by imagining all the information that I may potentially pass on, when in fact it’s only the relevant details that will be shared. Once information is passed on, it is still confidential so it’s imperative that those who ‘need’ to know are the only ones still that do.
Tension can also arise from people requesting access to confidential information. This is common from relatives who feel they have a right to know what, for example, treatment or medication a loved one may be in receipt of or how their illness is progressing. However, unless there is a need, such as those aforementioned, consent should always be given from the person whose file it is before any information is shared to anyone. Signed (learner):_____________________________________ Date:_________ Signed (personal tutor):_______________________________ Date:_________
