Unit 301 Principles of communication in adult social care settings

Outcome 1 Understand why effective communication is important in adult social care settings

1.1.1.1.1 People communicate for a variety of different reasons. These can be to express our desires and wishes or express our emotions. A baby screaming could be communicating its hunger or pain. We also communicate to survive, to form relationships, socially interact and to share ideas.

1.2 Communication can affect relationships in a variety of ways. Good communication can encourage participation and help to create equality between people. Having good communication will help to build relationships/friendships and promote independence. Inadequate
Other barriers may include visual or hearing impairments, cultural differences, language differences, emotional distress, and health issues.

3.3 Barriers to communication can be reduced by identifying the person’s communication needs and preferences, often this information can be located within communication passports and person centred plans. This information can also be sought from speaking with the person and liaising with relevant professional or family members. Once a person’s communication needs and preferences have been identified you can ensure that you are enabling them to fully communicate by adapting the way you communicate to suit their needs. This may be in the way they prefer to receive information, whether by spoken word, written or pictorial formats. It may also be necessary to arrange meetings with the person in a suitable venue such as somewhere private if the information to be communicated is sensitive.

3.4 Strategies that can be used to clarify misunderstandings with communication are repeating your question or asking the person to repeat what they just said. You could also try re phrasing what you are saying. Ask the person to confirm what you said by repeating it back to you.

3.5 Sources of information and support or services are available to enable more effective communication these may be using translation services where language is a barrier, speech and language services such