This is the help page for this learning object. It sets out to give you some advice on the best way to approach your study of the object.
Overview
Effective social work depends on skilful communication with service users, carers and other professionals. Good communication provides the basis for building and sustaining helpful relationships. It underpins every stage of the social work process and draws on a wide range of knowledge and skills.
This e-learning resource introduces you to the breadth and complexity of communication skills as a topic in social work. This is a topic which combines theoretical and practice knowledge with interpersonal skills as you will discover in the introduction. There you will have the opportunity to explore, and download, information on different areas of underpinning knowledge before reading the thoughts of service users, as they reflect on their experiences of good and bad communication with social workers.
The main material is divided into three sections. First is a quiz to start you thinking about the variety of challenges which come under the heading of communication issues. The second section focuses on the principles and skills which underpin effective communication in social work. You will read social workers' accounts about why they have found particular principles to be important and you will find simple definitions of key communication skills, which we hope you can easily remember. The third section looks at different social work tasks. You will read social workers' and service users' thoughts about the role of communication in each of these tasks.
The last word is from a service user who found good communication from his social worker made all the difference.
Reference
In the Reference section, you will find a list of the works referenced in this object and you may find these useful to read more deeply into areas of interest. In addition, you will find short references to works or websites throughout the learning object.
Learning aims
The authors have set out the learning aims of this learning object in the 'Learning aims' section on the Start screen.
Timing
We estimate that it will take you around 30-40 minutes to complete your study of this object.
Navigation
We recommend that you work through the introduction, then the sections Quiz, Principles and skills and the conclusion in the order that they are presented. To move around, use the 'Next', 'Previous' and 'Back to start' buttons.