Health and Social Care Summer transition project The aim of this project is to introduce the first coursework module “Communication in Care Settings”. You will practise and improve essential skills to help you complete your coursework. You will form links with local care providers in Health, Social Care or Early Years settings. Before you start! Remember to write down the names of any books, websites or other sources of information you have used – they will come in handy with the write up. Make sure you familiarise yourself with some of the specialist terms. Task 1. Making links Research local care settings using Google, yell.com, a telephone directory, word-of-mouth, or it could be a care setting that a friend or family member works at or attends. Contact at least one care setting by letter, email, telephone or visit in person. Arrange a day at one or two care settings for January where you will interact with service users for your coursework. If you can, ask a member of staff to help you to complete Task 3.

Which of the above do you think are your strengths? Task 2 Your communication skills What different methods of communication do you use? Oral Written Computerised Non-verbal Which of the above do you think are your strengths? Which are weaker areas? Why?

Task 3 Communication in a Care Setting Use the care setting you have linked up with from Task 1 or carry out your own research. Which of the following communication types do they use regularly, occasionally or not-at-all? Oral Written Computerised Non-verbal Are there any special methods of communication to meet the particular needs of this service user group?

Task 4 Communication Scrap book Produce a small scrap book or a large poster which identifies different types of communication. You could find examples in the media, from online searches, from your own experiences or from books. Examples of types of communication types: Verbal: Singing, Speaking, Listening Written: Braille, Email, Letters, Policies Non-verbal: Art, Drama, Mime, Body language Graphical: Posters, Signs, Symbols Task 5 Care in the News Find examples of good and bad care practice in the news. Add these to your scrap-book (above) and annotate the notes with your thoughts. Some key terms Verbal communication Sign language Non-verbal communication Braille Body language Diversity Care setting Service user Contact both Miss Cubbin annemarie.cubbin@trfwia.org.uk and Mrs Flynn sarah.Flynn@trfwia.org.uk if you have any difficulties with these activities.