Engaging with Vulnerable Adults who have communication difficulties
Human communication is challenging at the best of times. Engaging with
people who have communication difficulties in normal circumstances
increases the challenges and in exceptional circumstances such as a
Safeguarding Adults investigation can be very difficult indeed; yet
successful communication may be critical to the potential outcome.
This one day course designed for senior Support workers, Deputies and
Managers aims to help learners understand the challenges for both parties and
the importance of engagement on meaningful level.
The learning outcomes:
By the end of this course learners should understand:
Why engagement is critical within an investigation
The potential negative consequences of miscommunication/lack of
communication
For Vulnerable Adults, what might be the emotional impact of being part of
an investigation:
-Anxiety/fear/panic
-Paranoid feelings
-Anger
-Blame
-Confusion/bewilderment
etc.
How the emotional responses might impact on the ability to effectively
communicate
-Withdrawal
-Reaction formation
etc.
Other factors that might impede communication:
-Lack of understanding
-Confusion
-Hallucinations
-Poor concentration/restlessness
-Limited vocabulary
-Speech impairment
-Hearing impairment
etc.
How to work with these challenges:
-A suitable environment
-A suitable time
-A suitable person-who should do
this?
-Who might be appropriate to assist
-Clarity of roles
-An appropriate style
-Recording issues
-Advocacy
-Aids to communication
How to listen empathically:
-The advantages
-How this could shape responses
-Potentially prejudicing the
investigation
The investigator-barriers to communication
-How might the manner of the
investigator get in the way?
-How might our assumptions/judgements
impede investigation?
-How our listening skills (or lack
of) may worsen the situation
etc.
Training methods:
Icebreakers
Tutor presentations
OHP/PowerPoint
Chalk and talk
Word shower method
Group work
Pairs work
Role play
handouts
CP178/5.9
