BSWSA 2101 Communication skills in social work

COURSE NAME:  COMMUNICATION SKILLS IN SOCIAL WORK  

COURSE CODE: BSWSA 1101                  

COURSE LEDER: KOMURERE ABIGAIL

 

Duration of the course:

 

45 hours

Course description               

Course Description

This course focuses on the knowledge, value base, and intervention methods of social work practice, and basic skills development in interpersonal communication and interviewing.

People continually communicate with each other in one form or another whether it be through spoken or written language. Communication is fundamental to social work enabling interactions with service users, carers, communities, professionals and organisations

Communication skills are fundamental to social work practice. The factor that mostly and strongly influence simulated client responses is empathy. Empathetic social work create less resistance and increase the amount of information disclosed by clients. Empathy therefore appears to be central to good social work communication in the child protection situation. Effective communication skills are one of the most important components of a social workers job. Social workers must communicate with clients to gain information, thereby causing detrimental effects to clients.

communication has many layers and is very complex, especially with regards to communication between service users and social workers. good communication skills are at the heart of effective social work practice and in this assignment i am going to be discussing the various types of communication skills which are of paramount importance when it comes to social workers. non-verbal communication skills are an extremely integral part of social work  as people are often totally unaware of the non-verbal behaviour they use and therefore it makes a social workers job easier by being able to read their emotional state through the use of their non-verbal action


Mode of Delivery

 

-                      Lecture

-                      Tutorial  

-                      Presentation (individually and in groups)

-                      Tests and take-home assignments

 

Course evaluation

1. Take home course work (10%)

2. Test(S) (20%)

3. Class Presentations (10%)

4. Examinations (60%)

 

Course objectives

Students should be able to:

 

·         understand principles of effective communication as a two or more way process (underpinned by values such as participation and inclusion)

  • understand how context shapes communication and can facilitate or impede effective communication
  • understand communication within the social work role and task   Use select social work interventions appropriately and to understand the role and use of process in doing so  
  •  Effective use of specific skills in interpersonal communication and interviewing
  •   Recognize issues of diversity, oppression, social exclusion, human rights and social justice, and to address these issues in the context of one's practice
  • Utilize self-awareness and capacity for self-evaluation in relation to social work
  •  Understand the limits to one's own knowledge and ability, to appreciate uncertainty, ambiguity and limits to knowledge, and to engage in persistent inquiry into the theoretical and research bases of social work

 Expected outcomes:

By the end of the semester students should be able to :

  •   Explain the main principles of communication theories and apply a specific model to a helping relationship and intervention.
  • Consistently demonstrate self-awareness in reflecting on one’s personal communication style, its strengths and weaknesses and its impact on others (including diverse populations).
  • Give and receive appropriate and effective evaluative feedback for the growth of self and others.
  • Articulate ethical considerations including informed consent and confidentiality and demonstrate ethical practice behaviour.
  •   Apply specific attending and influencing communication skills in a variety of professional settings, such as interviewing, conflict resolution, working with resistant/reluctant service recipients, supervision, community work, and collegial relationships.
  •   Understand and effectively use structured interview techniques and processes that are necessary to effective social work practice.
  •   Demonstrate confidence and competence as a beginning social work professional who communicates clearly and effectively                                                     

III. Course evaluation                     

Students will be required to write an essay/course work to contribute 20% and a test 20%, i.e.   40%.

They will also write an examination which will contribute 60% of the final mark.. In addition, assessment at individual level will be emphasized through class participation/presentations.

 

Delivery Methods.

  •                Face to face Lecture
  •                Presentation (individually and in groups)
  •                Tests and take-home assignments
  •                 VLE  materials