SHC 31: Promote communication in health, social care or children’s and young people’s settings. 1. Understand why effective communication is important in the work setting. 1.1 Identify the different reasons people communicate.
People communicate in order to express feelings, emotions and opinions we need to communicate to exchange information on a daily basis. Communication is a vital part in building and maintaining relationships. We communicate through the use of telephone, written notes, emails, text messaging and vocally we can also communicate through touching, facial expressions and body movements. From birth we begin communicating crying when we are hungry or thirsty or sick shivering when we are cold scratching if our body is itchy through these body movements we communicate our feelings and needs before we are able to vocalise them. Facial expressions are used to portray our emotions whether we are happy or unhappy through good happy facial expression we can create a welcoming friendly atmosphere. To receive communication from someone is to receive information and knowledge. Communication can be personal (informal) or professional (formal).
Communication between colleagues is essential and information should be recorded in case it is needed to be called upon for legal reasons. 1.2 Explain how communication affects relationships in the work setting. The right kind of communication such as listening, open ended questions, calm tone of voice, complements, encouragement and “I” statements help bring people together and create good relationships on a meaningful level. If people lack the ability to communicate well, they can limit their ability to connect with others and at the extreme can create conflict. Relationships within the workplace thrive on people being able to communicate effectively what it is that they need and the recipient being able to respond efficiently and competently. Every child is different and unique you gain knowledge of them through communication. The more knowledge gained the easier it will be to read their communication whether it be vocal, facial or body language. Communication bestows trust between you the children and your fellow practitioners as well as the parents of the children who are happy in the knowledge that information is being regularly shared with them. It is important to communicate within the workplace as you can learn from one another. If you convey yourself as not only a good communicator but also as a good listener then people will come to you to express their needs, feelings, thoughts, opinions and ideas. Through the use of communication you can equally expect reciprocal support from others.