Unit 301 – Promote communication in health, social care or children’s and young people’s settings.
Outcome 1.People communicate for a different variety of reasons, it could be because they need to have a catch up with an old friend, pass a message on for someone or tell someone what to do within their job setting. People also communicate so they can express their needs, within the care setting communication is used to reassure clients/clients families, to share ideas with management or to give encouragement to fellow workers or care users. Communication within the work setting is vital as any slight miscommunication could mean the incorrect care being given. Communication is an important part of teamwork, this will bring the best possible care for the service users from all the carers. Also, you will be able to build relationships and trust with the service users, from this they will trust you and be more open towards you.
This in turn will allow you to have a good relationship with their families as well.Outcome 2.There are many factors to consider when promoting effective communication. One of these is clarification, you need to make sure your clarifying when someone is talking to you, so they know that you are paying attention and they don’t get offended.
Another way of promoting effective communication is learning to listen, you need to be a good listener to have effective communication. This can be done by putting people at ease and eliminating the distractions around you. This will allow the focus to be on the communication. The tone of voice being used is a key part to promoting effective communication as if you talk to someone in an abrupt and harsh tone then they will want the conversation to be over as quickly as possible as there will be a negative impact on the conversation, where as if you use a soft and calm tone of voice they conversation will flow, and everyone will be more engaged. You will need to avoid personal prejudices and be more open to new and fresh ideas, this will encourage more people to communicate as they may feel that their ideas will be listened to. A final way to promote effective communication is to smile, by having a smile people will feel that you are more open and will be encouraged to communicate with you.Outcome 3.People from different backgrounds may find it difficult to communicate with each other due to being raised in different times or areas.
For example someone who was brought up pre 1980 may not understand certain words such as modern day slang. Another reason to why communication may be interpreted in different ways is different ethical backgrounds, as someone who is brought up in the United kingdom may understand things and interpret them in a different way compared to someone who was brought up in Africa. There are many barriers to effective communication such as learning difficulties and physical disabilities. A main disability that can effect communication is deafness. For example when speaking to my brother I have to make sure that I have his full attention and that I am speaking slowly and clearly so he can read what I am saying as he doesn’t use sign language. There are many services and equipment around to support people with communication, such as, interpreters, advocates, Makaton and induction loops.
Most local authorities have access to these services but there are also special organisations around that can help such as The British Deaf Society and local to my area specifically for hearing disabilities there is a company called signal.Outcome 4.Confidentiality is a major part of working within a care setting, it means not telling anyone who is unauthorised any information or sharing any documents with them about any service user or fellow carer unless it is a need to know basis and that you have the service user’s permission.
There is a big risk of tension when it comes down to maintaining someone’s confidentiality and sharing important information with agreed others. Not everything needs passing onto someone else unless there is a significant risk to the service user or others around them. In my own personal experience, a service user has told me something in confidence whilst trying to build trust with each other but the information that they had shared with me had put me in a difficult situation with trying not to break their trust but also trying to protect and help them.
When it comes down to breaking the trust between yourself and a service user who has confided within you, if you feel that you need to pass information onto someone else tell them that you feel someone needs to know and that you are compelled to say something. By doing this you and the service user may be able to come to an agreement which could have the least amount of repercussions for everyone involved.
