Miss

Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People’s Workforce (QCF)

Unit 8: Promote Communication in Health, Social Care or Children’s and Young
People’s Settings

Learner Name__Teuta Metushi_______________________________________

Date for completion:

Feedback from Assessor

Signed by Assessor______________________ Date________________

Signed by Learner_______________________ Date________________

1.1 Please name 3 different reasons why people communicate?

To exchange information: for example, when the parents talk about, how the child slept last night to inform practitioners in case he will be exhausted later on, which will enable practitioners to be aware and react.

To form relationship and offer support: informal interaction about the child’s health as he has been absents for few days and overall any changes. It would help cares to offer support if the child feeling anxious when the parents leave, so the care could help him or her by reading any books or playing for a while. To support the child by given any comforters to help them to calm down and relax.

To maintain relationship: for example, a key worker needs time to get to know the child’s interest, needs and know their family, so that a trusting relationship is formed and maintained.

1.2 How does communication affect relationships in the work setting?

Interaction in the work place among other colleagues is necessary to establish effective relationship by supporting other people and to expect that support in difficult times. Communication is the main tool to create a positive working environment by exchanging ideas in terms of children and young people holistic development by working together in a team with the common intention of providing the best service. For instance, when children join our setting they need sensitive support to cope with transition, including moving to a different surrounding, new carers and friends. Sharing information regularly with parents about the daily routine or any events that have taken place that day or informing about any incidents, would enable parents to build a trusting relationship with cares. However, parents need to talk to practitioners as well as listen. Updating parents about the child development and passing information clearly to parents are vital. For instance, parents meeting that are arranged at specific date and times, and for some parents this can be very difficult to attend, therefore you will need to develop effective listening skills by trying to set different date and be flexible. Avoid parents getting your attention while playing with children.

2.2 Describe the factors to consider when promoting effective communication?

Factors that need to be considered when promoting effective communication is the consideration of individual needs. Having a good knowledge of child development enable practitioners to identify individuals needs age and stage of development of child and young person. For instance, children with physical disabilities, alternative method communication would be to use British Sign Language, like Makaton signs along with verbal communication to support understanding and language development of children and young people. There are many factors to consider when promoting effective face to face communication, including environment or layout of the space, decoration, colour, lightning, furniture, smells and noise. For example, couple of children are interested in stories whereas others are interested to play with activities provided. A busy noisy environment will prevent effective communication, so the practitioners need to find a quiet place in order to read with them. So the cares needs to convey and offer children a choice to comprise whether to read stories or play

3.1 Please explain how people from different backgrounds may use and/or interpret communication methods in different ways

As we live in multicultural society practitioners needs to be aware of communication methods including verbal, non-verbal, formal, informal, groups, one to one, questioning and listening. In Non-Verbal communication is when information is passed to others without using the spoken words. It’s very important to understand your body language as it plays a big role in process of communication and what says about you. Eye contact frequently gives away what we are feeling and you give attention while interacting with someone. But in different cultures mutual eye contact is considered disrespectful. Using gesture while interacting with people, such as head nodding, waving, bowing or giving or giving ‘thumbs up’ sign are cultural speciphic which mean something from one cultural but nothing for other cultural, so practitioners needs to be cautious while using this gestures as certain gestures might be seen as insulting by some people. Some of this gestures can be used as a sign language – such as Makaton but we used in early setting to aid communication for children with different disabilities or language delay. We comfort children or babies when they are distressed by touching, picking them up to comfort or when they trip over or being upset. The physical contact is important and it associates with by giving them attention, talking and makes them feel relaxed.
Verbal communication is crucial when interacting with children and young people. Practitioner’s needs to use appropriate language while interacting according to their age stage of development as it could be difficult for them to understand Is very important they bend down level with the child to make eye contact as well as it could be patronising while standing up.

3.2 Please name 3 different barriers to effective communication

1
The Physical environment
Communication could be blocked by the environment. The lack of access for people who using the wheelchair, to noise all this factors can inhibit the effective communication. For example, reading a story and other children having free play would prevent the concentration skills, because too much noise, distraction and understanding skills. When talking to parents about the child comments that made early to carer, informing parents while the collecting the child, noise and lack of privacy would prevent the effective communication.

2
Disability and impairment
Some people will have impairments that can stop them from communicating effectively. Children and young people who have hearing impairment that are unable to hear and that depends if they are partially deaf or profound deaf. In this case they need hearing aid to overcome this barrier.

3
Confidence and self esteem
Some children and young people lack confidence in making their views known, verbally and in writing. So they need lots of support to practise the communication skills, if they are not encouraged to practise this skills they are more likely to avoid communication for fear of making mistakes.

3.5 Please describe how to access extra support or services to enable individuals to communicate effectively

Firstly, practitioners need to identify those children and young people who enquire extra support while in their care; if they are diagnosed practitioners will cooperate with other agenesis which is involved to promote effective communication. Support services include: speech and language therapist assess and treat children and adults who have difficulties with speech and language. Specific sign languages- such as Makaton, Signalong and Picture Exchange Communication system (PECS). This sign supporting system that is based on British Sign Language is designed to help children and young people with language problems. PECS is designed to support children who have an autistic spectrum disorder by exchanging a picture of an object with a teacher. Verbal prompts are not used; this encourages children of being dependent. Translation and interpretation services or advocacy services which role is to represent feeling and wishes of children and young people to the courts, and equipping a view of child’s best interests. Specialist teachers for children and young people who are learning English as a second language.

4.1 Please explain the meaning of the term confidentiality

Confidentiality means not disclosing any information regarding with children and their families outside the setting. Any information concerning children is disclosed in the professional relationship.

4.3 Please describe the potential tension between maintaining an individual’s confidentiality and disclosing concerns.

Maintaining confidentiality in day-to day setting is vital and to know where to pass it on. For instance, if you suspect there might be a child protection issue; only then you must share it with the line manager in the strictest confidence. Parents might be aware of this policy from outset of your partnership. Information they have disclosed to carer, they also have to with line manager. In the staff meeting we had recently was about collection time, who’s going to collect the child and who’s not from now on. Some information has to be shared, such as diet, allergy and all the staff need to be aware while facilitating these services. In every case is very important to talk to parents if you have any concerns about the child wellbeing or safety; by explaining to them. Why you sharing the information and how that is going to help the child.

Your assessor will observe you meeting the following evidence:

2.1 Demonstrate how to establish the communication and language needs, wishes and preferences of individuals

2.3 Demonstrate a range of communication methods and styles to meet individual needs

2.4 Demonstrate how to respond to an individual’s reactions when communicating

3.3 Demonstrate ways to overcome barriers to communication

3.4 Demonstrate strategies that can be used to clarify misunderstandings

4.2 Demonstrate ways to maintain confidentiality in day-to-day communication

(The observations will be carried out holistically, therefore these elements may be met in different observations)