Health and Social Care - Caring Skills

SOCIAL PERCEPTION

This skill is where we should be aware of others feelings, needs and intentions by focusing on the information they present to us.

To find these needs and intentions they could be giving subliminal clues in conversation or interaction with you and others so it is important you are always lookling out for these hints as to the clients feelings.

For example this could include looking at facial expressions, posture, tone of voice etc..

OBSERVATION

When observing we are collecting information about clients by taking measurements of them which includes:

• Blood pressure
• Temperature
• Weight
• Behaviour
• Intake
• Height

This is normally a selective technique which means it is not foreveryone for example not everyone may need their weight monitored but for certain clients this is a necessarity.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

This is when we uses skills such as listening, asking questions, writing, reading, facial expressions, eye contact etc.. to

They comply of both verbal and non verbal communication skills in order to achieve the best quality of communication between you and the client.

The communication should almost always have the purpose to provide care.

PHYSICAL  CONTACT

This skill is used to comfort a client who maybe anxious or upset .

The way to comfort includes touching an arm or shoulder, giving a cuddle or hug

however you should also check this is appropriate for that particular client and that they would welcome the physical contact. You should check before thinking about providing physical contact as this can create big problems if the client does not like it.

ENCOURAGING

Here encouragement is used to promote adaptive behaviour and discourage maladaptive behaviour.

Adaptive behaviour= Increases the clients well being and quality of life.

Maladaptive behaviour= tends to harm a client or make people hostile to them.

SETTING CHALLENGES

This is suggesting an activity to stimulate the client or service users which will improve their abilities, skills, confidence and self asteem.

When providing a goal to a client it gives them a target to work towards and the sense of achievement they can gain will encourage the client to continue the activity to the end.

This is often seen in NHS settings when people are in recovery after major surgery or changes to their lives as it can give back confidence and reassurance to the client.

CREATING TRUST

This is used to build relationships between clients and service providers too.

It is acting in a way to encourage the client to see the carer in a reliable manor where they are behaving consistently and effectively to help them.

This view then informs the client that the carer is there for them, reliable and able to cater for their needs.

GAINING COMPLIANCE

This is where a carer is trying to get the client to do something that is required of them. Which could include:

• Washing and cleaning
• Walking
• Taking a tablet/medication
• Helping others
• Being co-operative

It involves people either complying or not and can be given with an ultimatium in order to persuade the client

However it should requre NO FORCE or authority as this can intimidate and scare the client.

REDUCING NEGATIVE FEELINGS

This is behaviour shown by the carer to try to stop negative actions by tackling negative feelings.

This works as negative actions nearly always stem from negative feelings therefore if, as carers, we tackle the stem of the problem both feelings and behaviour will be reduced which is safer and better for all.

It involves taking a positive outlook even when in cases it may be hard to take.

APPROVAL

This is where we acknowledge the good behaviour of a client through praise, smiling or contact.

Using this technique will improve a clients self esteem and confidence in this area and their life in general.

This will also help to build a client carer relationship as they realise you understand them and recognise their personal achievements.

DISENGAGEMENT

Here we would temporarily withdraw from a client or situation to diffuse the problem or negative feelings.

This could be useful when stressful and angry situations arise and lots of people are getting irrate as simply removing yourself or others can instantly calm people down.

It involves behaving neutrally with a reason for withdrawing

DISTRACTION

This is often used to help manage and cope with short periods of pain or anxiety.

It means  taking the focus away from the negative and moved towards somthing more positive

An example of this could be distracting a child with a sweet when having an injection.

MODELLING

This is observing and imitating behaviour of another person and can help clients learn new things by copying the model behaviour.

This can be used in recovery situations and in confidence building programmes.

This then creates the carer as a role model figure in the clients eyes.

WORKING ALONGISDE

This involves the client joining in with the clients behaviour or task to work together and encourage team work situations.

This is useful for when people feel lonely or anxious and need to talk to someone or need to be comforted.