Page 1 of 3
Introduction
Social workers and other professionals often need to communicate directly with children and young people as part of assessments, investigations, reviews or continuing interventions.
They need to be able to
- Explain complex things
- Give bad news
- Find out what children are thinking and feeling, how they understand the world, or how their life experiences have affected them
Example
Social worker Ned must visit Jamal to tell him that he cannot return to live with his parents. He must explain that that this is because Jamal would be unsafe living with them. He needs to help Jamal express his feelings about this and seek his views about where he should live long-term.
Page 2 of 3
Introduction
This can often be very challenging because of the sensitive nature of what is under discussion.
Workers may find themselves struggling with direct conversations and learn that even sensitive questions don't always achieve what is intended.
They may find that children don't understand what is being said, become upset, angry or confused or refuse to talk to them at all.
Page 3 of 3
Introduction
Because of this you may often find that you may need to use additional ways of communicating with children other than just talking, so that you can:
- explain things in ways which make sense to children
- enable children to express themselves in the best way for them
- make sense of children's worlds and experiences without relying solely on what children tell them
This learning resource will help you learn more about children's instinctive ways of communicating and how you can use these to enhance your work.
- Start page
- Introduction