We all communicate in order to establish and maintain relationships with others, to give and receive information and instructions, to understand and be understood, to share opinions, knowledge, feelings, and emotions, to give encouragement and show others they are valued.
Communication is an essential tool for a Support worker, who can use it to meet the needs of Service Users. It is a basic requirement of my job role to communicate with Service Users and their families, other members of staff on a daily basis. Communicating with other staff members ensures effective team working and continuity of care.It also ensures any health and safety issues are recognised and reported.
All Support Workers attend hand over at the beginning of each shift and also complete communication book, thereby keeping all staff informed and aware of current situations within the workplace. Service Users communicate with Support workers to express their needs and preferences and to ensure that they are met. As a Support Worker I would discuss the options and choices available to the Service User so they were then able to make an informed choice regarding their care. Bruce Tuckman believed that there are four basic and predictable stages of development.
These four stages are Forming, Storming, Norming and Performing. Forming is when new members of a group/team get together for the first time and feel uncomfortable. This first step is when they try to understand each other, define their tasks and also test their relationships. Storming is when group members start talking about important ideas and issues, they can get emotional and argumentative at this stage. Norming is when the groups begin to work towards resolving their conflicts and also working as a team towards their goal. Performing at this stage the teams are more focused, decisions are made and solutions are agreed upon.
Argyles Communication Cycle The communication cycle helps explain how we decode information that is being communicated to us and explains how we have to work out what another person’s behaviour really means. The communication cycle is subdivided into 6 stages: An idea occurs – this is the very first stage of the cycle, which is when you have an idea that you want to communicate. Message coded – in this stage you think through how you are going to communicate what you are thinking and begin to put your thoughts into language, or even codes such as sign language.Message sent – at this point you send your message in a form of speaking, writing or other ways such as sign language or Braille. Message received – this stage focuses on the other person who has to sense the message by hearing your words or seeing your symbols. Message decoded – this is a vital stage of the communication cycle where the other person has to now interpret the message.
This is not always easy, as the other person will make assumptions about your words and body language. Message understood – the final stage of the communication cycle is when the message is understood and they are able to communicate effectively.There are many factors to consider when communicating: How you communicate verbal or non-verbal and the environment, which way is best for the Service Users needs. Support workers will have to use many different ways to communicate will it be verbally if so ensure you speak clearly and face to face, do not use slang and at a speed that is suitable to the individual you are talking to. Ensure you listen to what they are saying, listening is an essential part of communication.
Non verbal could be using Sign language, Written ie letters, Makatron, Pictures and Photographs, Visual and Audio Records.The environment should be comfortable and relaxed, it should also be quiet and with no chance of interruptions or distractions. Ensure you are sat at comfortable distance from the Service User and at an angle that is not confrontational or invading their personal space. Ensure that you body language is open and relaxed ie.
Don’t sit with arms crossed as this could be seen as confrontational and closed off. Ensure you have plenty have time to sit and talk to the Service User, don’t try to rush the conversation, let the Service User talk at their own pace without interruptions.
