How to communicate effectively and the professional value base

Learning Objectives

After reading this resource, you should understand the effect of social work's professional value base upon effective communication.

Two people in a meeting

Fundamental to the effective working relationship between a social worker and a service user are the professional interpersonal skills demonstrated by the practitioner. However, these relationships are built upon and around a professional value base. The following article by Helen Cosis-Brown examines communication skills and the professional value base in social work and demonstrates their symbiotic relationship.

 

 

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Reflective Questions

  1. Thinking back to the last day you were in your social work practice placement, what interpersonal skills did you deploy and how do you think they linked to your professional values?
  2. The next time you greet a client when you are in your practice placement think carefully about your skills and the values underpinning them.
  3. For two days, on your practice placement, keep a reflective diary specifically about your interpersonal skills when relating to service user and to other professionals. What values do you think underpinned the skills and did they differ when you were relating to service user and professionals? If so, how and why did they differ?
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