New Research in Practice resources aim to support difficult conversations in social care.
Conversation is an integral part of practice. Professionals have to discuss challenging topics and it is important to create trusting relationships. A new briefing contains key messages from research and tools to develop relational practice. This includes recognising the social identities that people inhabit.
The ability to show respect while discussing sensitive issues, and potentially enforcing the law, is key. The briefing provides guidance and frameworks for applying these concepts in practice.
In new videos, Ali Gardner explores how we also need to think about mindset over method. She outlines non-violent communication in emotive situations, and explores Garavan’s six steps for dialogic practice.
Taking time to consider these concepts will support meaningful conversations.
Social care professionals will often have to discuss emotionally challenging topics with the people they support and their colleagues. This resource contains key messages from research and a range of tools to develop relational practice in this context.
Dialogic practice is about entering into conversations with curiosity and uncertainty, instead of solutions, certainty and outcomes. These videos outlines Garavan’s six steps.
Non-violent communication, or compassionate communication, is a tool that can be used in emotive situations.
Resources to support difficult conversations in social care
Conversation is a two-way process and it is important to acknowledge social identity. These resources outline exercises and activities to support effective communication.
Videos from the Supervisor Development Programme provide reflective questions and explore effective communication in supervision.
In this video, Professor Claudia Bernard helps us to understand intersectionality and how it can be used as a lens to support person-centred social care practice with older people.
The term social GGRRAAACCEEESSS is an acronym that describes aspects of personal and social identity which afford people different levels of power and privilege. This learning tool introduces a number of exercises and activities.
This webinar explores why some conversations may feel ‘difficult’ or ‘uncomfortable’ and will support you to reflect on your practice by identifying strategies that can be used to prepare and take forward courageous conversations.
Difficult conversations in social care: Frontline Briefing (2023)
Social care professionals will often have to discuss emotionally challenging topics with the people they support and their colleagues. This resource contains key messages from research and a range of tools to develop relational practice in this context.
Dialogic practice: Garavan's six steps
Ali Gardner outlines Garavan's six steps and talks about the factors that should be considered when using this tool in practice.
Non-violent communication
Non-violent communication, or compassionate communication, is a tool that can be used in emotive situations.