Communication in Care Settings

This mandatory unit for the Level 2 Diploma in Care covers the importance of communication in a healthcare environment.

It explores how to communicate effectively and adapting communication methods to suit the individual that you are supporting. Removing barriers to communication is also discussed as well as the importance of confidentiality.

There are four learning outcomes consisting of several assessment criteria:

1. Understand why communication is important in the work setting
   1. Identify different reasons why people communicate
   2. Explain how effective communication affects all aspects of your own work
   3. Explain why it is important to observe an individual’s reactions when communicating with them
2. Be able to meet the communication and language needs, wishes and preferences of individuals
   1. Find out an individual’s communication and language needs, wishes and preferences
   2. Demonstrate communication methods that meet an individual’s communication needs, wishes and preferences
   3. Show how and when to seek advice about communication
3. Be able to reduce barriers to communication
   1. Identify barriers to communication
   2. Demonstrate how to reduce barriers to communication in different ways
   3. Demonstrate ways to check that communication has been understood
   4. Identify sources of information, support and services to enable more effective communication
4. Be able to apply principles and practices relating to confidentiality at work
   1. Explain the term ‘confidentiality’
   2. Demonstrate confidentiality in day to day communication, in line with agreed ways of working
   3. Describe situations where information normally considered to be confidential might need to be passed on
   4. Explain how and when to seek advice about confidentiality