Communication for Health and Social Care .- Unit code: H/615/3824

Unit HSC302

RQF level: 3

Aim

Being able to communicate effectively is a prerequisite for any positive interaction within the health and social care sector, be this with a service user, carer, colleague or external agency. Within the health and social care sector there are methods of communication that learners need to be able to use correctly and effectively.

In this unit learners will look at the variety of communication methods used within health and social care practice. They will outline the principles of effective communication and how to identify and overcome common barriers to effective communication.

Learners will become familiar with the different methods of oral and written communication used, such as handing over information to colleagues face-to-face or by telephone and the benefits and potential weaknesses of each. They will also learn how to produce and present an oral presentation, which is a very useful skill within the health and social care sector. They will also cover how to present written information in a formal way via care plans, reports etc.

Finally, learners will look at the range of ICT innovations within the health and social care sector by which service user information can be communicated within the team and to external partners in the individual’s care. This will include issues around data protection and confidentiality.

Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria

Learning Outcomes. To achieve this unit a learner must be able to:	Assessment Criteria: Assessment of these outcomes demonstrates the learner can:
1. Understand the role of effective communication in health and social care practice.	1.1 Describe the methods used to communicate in health and social care. 1.2 Assess the strengths and weaknesses of both formal and informal communication methods. 1.3 Explain the principles of effective communication. 1.4 Explain potential barriers to communication and how they can be overcome.
2. Communicate information in a variety of formats.	2.1 Discuss the different methods of oral and written communication used in health and social care practice. 2.2 Produce and deliver an oral presentation to an audience at the appropriate level. 2.3 Produce a written communication that is appropriate for your organisational role.
3. Understand the importance of ICT in communicating in health and social care practice.	3.1 Assess the benefits and potential hazards of using ICT to communicate information in health and social care practice for organisations. 3.2 Discuss the benefits and potential hazards of using ICT to communicate information for service users 3.3 Explain the issues around data protection and how it is implemented in health and social care practice