Social Worker Communication Skills

Flashcards to help review key concepts of attending, observing, listening skills and their importance in social work communication.

What is attending in social work communication?

Attending involves both physical and psychological presence that allows social workers to communicate their understanding and concern to service users.

How can a worker's facial expression affect service users?

A calm, concerned expression helps users unveil their true feelings, while an unhelpful expression, like laughing during discussions of loss, can hinder communication.

What does observing skill enable social workers to do?

Observing skill helps social workers gain a better understanding of service users and accurately interpret their non-verbal cues, ensuring alignment between verbal and non-verbal messages.

In Example 1, what was Anne's initial verbal message contrasted with her non-verbal behavior?

Anne's flat voice and sigh suggested pleasure, but her behavior revealed deeper feelings of frustration with her mother.

In Example 2, what did Jim's tone indicate about his feelings?

Jim's loud and harsh tone indicated deeper anger, which he acknowledged during the conversation with the social worker.

What does active listening imply in the context of social work?

Active listening means listening to service users' messages purposefully and communicating that the worker has understood them.

What is meant by 'listening to silence' in social work?

Listening to silence refers to being aware of the non-verbal communication that occurs even when both social worker and service user are silent, and recognizing when to intervene.

What insights did Mike share about his feelings during the session?

Mike revealed feelings of inadequacy and sadness regarding his choices, indicating a deeper issue with self-worth.