Social Work Effective Communication

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Effective communication
Barriers to effective communication
Unaccompanied asylum seeking child with an interpreter
Emotional intelligence
Risks and challenges
Conclusion
References

Introduction

Communication refers to the transfer of information from one center to another. The information can be about a person’s desire, needs, perception, knowledge, or affective states. This can be in written form or verbal through a certain chain. It may involve conventional or non conventional means such as linguistic and non linguistic forms through either spoken or other modes. There are various forms of communication. The top- bottom means the movement of information from a higher authority to a lower one. There is the bottom –top that refers to the movement of information from a lower authority to a higher one and the horizontal that refers to the movement of information across the same rank. In order for the information to be encoded and be understood, one must ensure that it is properly prepared and sent within the required chain and time. Communication can be classified into verbal- non- verbal, oral- written, intentional- non intentional etc. This clearly implies that for every message passed across there must be a reply from the other side. Oral communication is by word of mouth. The non verbal communication refers to that which takes place in ones mind without speaking. these includes facial gestures, such as smiling and frowning, body language which involves crossing of arms, pointing of fingers, leg shaking of nervousness and upright sitting for the sake of paying full attention and the impression given to others through appearance. The extent of presentation in this case involves our dressing code, body language and body odor.

Effective communication

This refers to the ability to present the required information within acceptable channels at an agreed period of time to the relevant persons. It is a very cardinal aspect in achieving our desired goals in life. It helps to build confidence in us and the people around us. In order for this to be achieved there is need for proper utilization of our communication skills i.e. listening comprehending, encoding, reporting and writing. Sometimes we do not meet our expectations in life due to several factors that impede effective communication in our social setting. It is therefore important that such barriers are tackled in order to enhance our communication effectiveness.

Barriers to effective communication

These refer to factors that impede our ability to pass information required to the recipients. They include factors such as the environment, emotions and experience. They distract the receiver of the information from accessing or capturing the whole message and they include: noise, lack of resources such as funds and insufficient time, language, religion and cultural traits. This means that in such instances, we need to exercise patience in order to send to our clients the required message. It is with this view that led to suggestion of this famous statement “standing still enough to absorb the emotional impact of (service users) experiences is something that allows the movement hidden beneath the frozen state or psychological hypothermia to emerge in a tolerable way at the right time” (Kohli, 2001:180).

Standing still long enough in this case, means the endurance that we take as we communicate to our recipients. This means that we take more time than we expected without losing focus on our ideals.It calls for our determination coupled with patience but not to be destructed from our original ideas. The timing in this case is a key aspect that should be taken into account. This is because it is the underlying aspect in determining effective communication. Too much time spent, depending on the matters in consideration could outlive its purpose. The feedback might be achieved but a little bit too late.Therefore the desire is not fully accomplished. To check this kind of eventuality, then the communicator has the challenge of ensuring that the time frame is adhered to. On the other hand, the communicator could have thought that enough time has been spent when that is not really the case.

It is therefore important to take into account the surroundings of your communication and its weight. Conducive environment can only yield good results in the required time frame while poor circumstances will need more time.weighty matters will always require more time so that all eventualities are addressed and dealt with conclusively. The service users play an integral part in determining the length of time. Parents for instance will require more time than children. Managers will sometimes require much less time since the circumstances be demanding an immediate attention.In response to these ideals, I seek to explain how effective communication can be achieved. My service user in this context is unaccompanied asylum seeking child. This is a very sensitive component of the society that needs careful approach when dealing with it.

Unaccompanied asylum seeking child with an interpreter

In its basic definition it refers to children who find themselves in a foreign country either intentionally or unintentionally with a view of acquiring citizenship. According to United Nations high commission for refugees’ article of 1994 an asylum child is defined as a person under the age of 18 who is separated from parents and other adult care givers. The child must be making a claim of refugees’ status and needs to be taken care of and protected, through the countries welfare services. The detailed lives and circumstances of these children and young people have begun to be recorded and understood in the western countries, related to their practical and psychosocial well-being after arrival. It can be argued that no matter why they left their country of origin and how they find their ways into new territories, they become visible to social workers at ports of entry or at duty desks, seeking and continuity of care. The interpreter refers to a person who provides language support and transmits an oral message from one person to another across the language barrier. One should be impartial, and treat all the information with confidentiality. The interpreter’s job is to transmit a message as accurately as possible, and to mirror its source. The professional and the client must allow the interpretation to be made by speaking to each other directly. The set-up should be in a triangle, allowing the interpreter to sit at an equal distance from them. It is always advisable to employ an interpreter rather than ask a relative to help out, as they are a trained linguists and impartial. It important to take into account that children are at growing stage in life.They tend to take into account every kind of communication accessible to them. They are sometimes quick to respond and can easily be destructed from the intended purpose. That is why they require great care when dealing with them.

Emotional intelligence

Emotional intelligence is an important aspect in dealing with children. This can be defined as being able to motivate ones self and persist in the face of frustrations; to control impulse and delay gratification; to regulate ones mood and keep distress from swamping the ability to think; to empathize and to hope (Goleman, 1996) in Morrison, 2006: 246.In addressing the children, one has to take into account the environment seriously and the challenges it poses. One of the major components in this case therefore includes, listening and building empathy. This is one of the intra and inter – personal skills that are required in dealing with the children (Morrison, 2006: 246). This means that one has to take time and listen to the views of the child.Having a preconceived notion when dealing with a child tends to lock out fundamental issues. This must be avoided at all times. Most of the times, one thinks a child knows very little and always supposed to receive every direction without being heard. The child in this case could just be wishing to be heard by any person. It could even be possible that the child has the solution at hand. However the negligence accorded to the child negatively affects its emotions. When listened to, a child would be able to interact quite frankly thus enhancing the effectiveness of the communication.

Children quite often admire the people who identify with their problems and are able to share with them emotionally. In relation to Tracey’s story she was only able to open up after meeting a wonderful man who loved and supported her to the extent that she could not bottle up her feelings. She was even encouraged to cry in tough circumstances (Moles, 1950s: 3). Empathizing with a child creates room for one to understand the real problem on the ground.It makes the child to be more frank and open up completely. This means that one is able to capture the insights involved and develop better understanding of the issues at hand. It is always necessary to view the child in its proper perspective. Understanding the child and promoting a common behavior leads to an agreement with it. It also helps to promote the key principles of anti discriminatory practice and professional integrity (Coward et al, 1993: 2). This means that the child feels engaged in the process and that it will gladly identify with the decision arrived at. The child will also feel that all its interests have been taken into account, since there was an active participation from both sides.

Experience

Experience in communication is an important matter when dealing with asylum seeking children. It helps in determining the exact matters that are to be addressed. It provides a clear picture in that; one is not in a hurry to determine the course of action to be taken. Past mistakes provide a learning atmosphere, so that the same problems do not arise again. Such kind of mistakes include obscuring rather than informing, blurring the boundary between fact and opinion and promoting imprecise value-ridden statement (Coward et al, 1993: 2) This gives the direction to be taken in projecting the right issues to be dealt with. It builds the required dynamism in dealing with facts while developing the impetus to face them. Experience creates a functional system in an interpreter, such that one is able to approach facts from an informed point of view. It provides a clear and definite framework to work with rather keep on gazing on theories that have never been used.In order to pursue a workable frame work, careful projection should be done. This means that there is proper dissection of all the underlying factors.The problems faced from early experiences are diagnosed comprehensively and the way forward, arrived at in an improved state.This means that a careful analysis takes place. A reasonable approach is only reached to, after all the demerits and merits have been concluded.When dealing with such children’s issues, it is important to take into account the fact that they tend to believe in instant answers to their problems. They are vulnerable to pressure and their patience wears out quite quickly. They believe in lasting solutions to their problems. Part time solutions are not encouraged if the long term answer proves to be negative or not to the standards perceived by the child.

Projection

It is such kind of delicate scenario that requires careful assessment of the direction to be followed when dealing children matters. Whenever faced with challenges, the child believes that a solution will be arrived at without further reference to a third party. Referring them to another person, means a big let down. This is because they have in built trust in you. Incase one need to refer to another person, so as to have a conclusive answer, it necessary for the interpreter, to post pone the issue then consult before coming up with the final verdict.Careful Projection should also take into account the hurdles that may occur and how they can be solved. In creating this plan one should be able to come up with conceited factors i.e. confirmation of every source of information provided for by the child. This helps in determining the authenticity of the information passed on to you. The interpreter is able to detect if the information given is reliable and can be acted upon (Coward et al, 1993: 3). It builds confidence in one such that the same information can be quoted elsewhere without fear of contradiction and or victimization. Certain precautionary measures must always be to be taken into account.

Lack of resources and service delivery

In cases where there is lack of resources and unsatisfactory service delivery then the blame is squarely on the interpreter (Heffernan, 1996:142). This calls for one to be responsible for the actions they take. This is because lack of funds or essential services limits the freedom of the meeting the desired goals. Projection should then work within acceptable means even in terms of resources.

Withdrawal

Another aspect that is critical when addressing the asylum children issues is withdrawal. (Anderson, 1991: 3) added that children seeking asylum uses silence or economy of truth as a protective measure in order to arrive relatively safely and that they might have been told that only a particular version of the truth will enable them to remain because that is what the interrogators want to hear. This springs up when the child feels that the problems are not being addressed in a proper manner. It makes one not to be willing to disclose the information required. This occurs when one is tries to gain control of the situation in a bid to forge a workable solution. It is therefore important that ones move with great caution when striking a balance between the problems to be handled, the solutions we offer and the control of the situation. Self awareness is important in working with children. It affects the emotions and how to seek help (v).one should not be carried away by emotions to the extent that reason does not prevail. As much as we require to empathize with the children one should also avoid the making of rush decisions driven by emotions.

Controlling the emotions is designed in manner that we seek to avoid withdrawal.Behavioral statements provides a greater accuracy and clarity. (Coward et al, 1993: 4). Further probing should always take place whenever one realizes that certain information is being withheld. It is such kind of information that could provide the requisite solution. Judgmental statements always lead to withdrawal. One ought to be careful about these kinds of behavior. It tends speak more about how the child thinks of you and the expected results. A child develops a preconceived notion that you have already made up your mind and that you are just weighing options in the decision to make, Instead of giving an ear to what is being said. Coward and other writers in their works of 2003 outlined how such issues can be handled. One is capable of having the feelings about the facts being raised. However this does not mean that the feelings are wrong but they should kept in control. They should be brought forward especially if such feelings are playing a significant role in part of the difficulty in making of progress.The feelings should not be discarded but recorded to help in future analysis of the problem raised.

In order to arrive at this conclusion one needs not to be on the defensive side. Confidence and partiality to ones feelings helps in controlling such situations too Coward et al, 1993: 2). Understanding the effects of non verbal communication (Morrison, 2006: 246) helps to avoid withdrawal. Non verbal communication gives the listener a greater perspective of intentions than the verbal one. A smile will make one feel accommodated thus promoting a conducive environment. It makes on feel comfortable in disclosing all the required information without fear. However a frown on the face makes one uncomfortable.This tends to instill fear in the child. It may even lead to lose or hiding of vital information. On the other hand one should be keen on how the child responds when asked about certain events. This helps in assessing how the situation was at scene of the occurrence. It helps to provide a prelude on what kind of actions should be taken.History also plays a bigger part in leading to withdrawal. This is because one tends to believe that once accused of a certain wrong then it is always the same person that should commit the same offence.

If a child understands that such kind of arguments exists then withdrawal will be the only option left.Human beings are prone to change. Children are no exceptions in these circumstances, they tend to learn from past mistakes and try to avoid similar ones in future.One should therefore have an open mind set whenever faced with such situations. Every problem should be looked into with the new approach it deserves. History should only be consulted if there are hints of repetition being cited. Our sitting position when attending to the children should be strategic in order to be able to capture the nonverbal communication. Eye to eye contact could be important in gauging the validity of the information being given. However at other times, it might prove futile, especially when dealing with a shy child. It is therefore necessary to consider the character traits of any given child before engaging in a discussion. This can be handled better by creating a rapport.

The asylum child’s background

A child’s background is crucial in understanding the circumstances surrounding a certain character trait such as withdrawal. In some homes their could be poor communication between the child and a parent of certain sex. This kind of a hallo effect could easily make way for the child to hate any individual of that particular sex. The Tracey’s story is a clear example of how she depicted men dressed in black like priest used to torment her. (Moles, 1950s: 4). This made her fear such men and never wanted to associate with them. These kinds of instances automatically lead to withdrawal being manifested in children whenever faced with similar situations. If the child develops anger towards the social expert, it is upon one to control the situation by avoiding being in emotional conflict. Cooling down the tempers should be of top priority. One should then find out what led to that kind of annoyance. This can sometimes be double faced in that it could be either as a result of ones interaction with child over an issue that annoyed the child or the topic being discussed hurt the victim to the extent that discussing it brings with it bitter memories that the child had wished to forget forever.

Freezing

Another aspect that normally comes up during such confrontations is the freezing that tends to capture the child. In a bid to explain the genesis of such problems (Coward et al, 1993: 2) focused on how the language we use can make a victim feel more intimidated. They pointed out words such as aggressive, anti-authority and manipulative. In their argument it can clearly be depicted that these terms tend to label the individuals involved thus negating the real problems facing them.This can also be applied to such children, in that they interpret such kind of names as judgment.In fact it tends to make them feel manipulated and ready to face the consequences even if they are innocent. Another aspect that makes one to have a frozen attitude is if the ills committed against the child were done by a person of authority. This is because they tend to think that the same could still discover that they reported their cases.It means that they are in fear of the consequences if the suspects are not dealt with. Sometimes the attackers could have issued threats of dire consequences if they were reported to the authorities. The child in this case is aware of the suspect’s capability to repeat the same attacks.

Issues touching on close relatives also tend to make the child not willing to disclose full information. Members of the inside family i.e. parents; brothers and sisters might not be willing to be seen fighting their own family. This is because it clear to them they will still go back to the same family. These kind permanent social institution have created a strong attachment to their members to the extent that none of them would wish to be separated from them.Freezing can still be as a result of the gravity of the matters at hand.A child might not be comfortable to reveal serious crimes committed against them such as torture and incest. This is because tend to have a psychological effect on the child. These traumatic experiences scare the child from speaking. They even affect the reasoning ability. On trying to recall such events the child seems to be confused on the mode of communication the whole situation can be characterized by sobbing. In order to effectively communicate in such incidences then it is important that one takes into full consideration of the matter before hand. This will help in creating a conducive atmosphere where the child is not in fear of any person. It is difficult for the child to pose accusations against an elderly person of the family in the presence. This means that one is forced to conduct such kind enquires in a totally different set up. One has to give due diligence such matters as they deserve. The greater the attention, the greater the response from the child. The child needs to assured of the security and the confidentiality of the information shared. This gives the child the assurance that no repercussions shall be faced for engaging in the discussion. The child should be assured that on sharing of such information then appropriate action would be taken. In Tracey’s account of her life she clearly indicated that she only wrote about her painful experiences with the assurance that she would finally get rid of the demons that had rocked her life for over 45 years (Moles, 1950s: 4). The victim is assured of justice being done before narration of the story. It makes the child happy and tends to inspire the urge to be fully engaged in the discussion.

Hypothermia

With regard to hypothermia, it refers to the psychological state that one undergoes after suffering a terrible situation in life.this means that the victim is traumatized to the extent of not being able to speak about it.In relation to our service user, it brings to fore the brutal attacks and injustices that the child faces in life. This includes murder of the child’s parents in their presence and great bodily harm. These tend hurt the child in their minds and the pain drains them completely, interfering with the brain functional system. The horrors send shivering signals to the spinal code and affects mental buildup. In other instances it can lead to one running mad. This results in stagnation of bodily activities since the brain that controls everything through the spinal code is damaged. When asked to narrate about the events that occurred, the child will not be able to communicate as a result of the numbness. In relation to Tracey’s story she clearly indicated that horror made her unable to tell her foster parents of the occurrences because they had been locked up in her sub-conscious (Moles, 1950s: 3). The sexual abuse by the priest and subsequent torture by the nuns destroyed her nerve system. It is therefore necessary that children are not exposed to such horrific scenes.in certain situations the child might be able to avoid being a witness but not in others. For instance robbers do not have morality whenever they are carrying out their activities.

In order to get to the bottom of the event one needs to begin by counseling the child. A psychiatrist should be quite involved if the social service provider does not have the skills to do so. It is necessary for one to show in depth love to the child to encourage it that all is not lost and the situation can be redeemed. The child should develop in the mind that you are ready to assist and rescue.All you need is the story to be heard. The child should be assured the physical security. Tracey only gave her story after realizing that at her age of 52 she had met a man she adored for his strength belief in her (Moles, 1950s: 4) Guaranteeing this means that you can put with the child for purpose of instilling the virtue of hope in the child. One should realize that you are a stranger to the child until both of you get to live together for the sake of acquaintance. While living together one should engage in cultivating visions in the child.this can be done by engaging the child in discussions about the promising future.The child is encouraged that these aspirations are within reach despite the drawbacks.The setbacks should be listed and discussed at depth. Solutions should form the better part of such stories.

One should begin with minor drawbacks, before progressing to major ones.as solutions are offered to each situation.Confidence will start building up in the child. This will lead to the revelation of the hidden acts committed.It will enable one to emerge in a tolerable way. One is viewed not as an enemy but a friend and a savoir.

To compliment these arguments several scholars have outlined facts that underscore the importance of stories. In his works Simmons brings to fore the elementary facts about stories. They have many dimensions ranging from political, social, psychological and historical. (Simmonds, 2000: 3) according to him, children are often vulnerable to traumatic experiences during times of war, civil conflict and persecution. However he believes that they have an enormous resilience capability.This is usually enhanced by stories. He emphasizes that stories are not just important for its self but for the significance of the child. The stories help children to identify with some of the characters involved. They evoke emotions and help to understand how the child was tormented. He further argues that stories work best because they represent an important truth about reality (Simmonds, 2000: 6). In dealing with hostile and unfriendly solutions. They also help to develop the capacity of the child to anticipate the world of relationships in their minds in a realistic and helpful way.

This is further complimented by (Winnicot7) by stating that relationship are core to the development of self and capacity to relate well to others. Karpman (1968) outlined the three critical roles that stories present; the role of the victim, persecutor and the rescuer. Concerning the victim, they play the role of defense, against the characters aggression, the persecutor the defense against vulnerability and the rescuer the defense against the individuals’ vulnerability and aggression. These roles are complimentary to each other. This argument tries to explain the attachment theory as the most highly regarded view in the importance of internal models of experience in relationship, as the capacity to relate to others in the emotional and social world. However there are precautionary measures that must be looked into when engaging in story telling.

If the stories are fragmentary with disjointed elements they will have little impact and might prove to be dangerous. (Simmonds, 2000: 15).one should therefore have a well organized and focused story that serves the purpose for which it’s being told. Distortion can make the story lose its meaning especially when they had earlier own used as narratives to serve other purposes. (Simmonds, 2000: 4) this means that originality of any story being told is fundamental in addressing the issues at stake. Repeated stories could negatively impact on the child if it had outlived its purpose. The mode of telling stories also plays a key role in determining its impact on the child. Most of the children prefer oral transmission. This is because it helps them to be engaged by actively contributing. This helps in fostering relationship.

Risks and challenges

When dealing with asylum seeking children, it important to consider the risks involved. (Simmonds, 2000: 15) argued that social workers are inevitably caught up in tensions concerning the political, social, interpersonal and intrapersonal factors. He states that they should be firm in influencing these platforms. In cases where they lack power to do so then it is upon them to stand as observers to these events and their responsibility to children is it to stand and tell stories. It is evident that the political class would not sit and watch as their image is tainted especially, if one of them is involved in brutal activities against children. This should not deter one from fighting for justice of these children to prevail.

Conclusion

In a nut shell effective communication involving an asylum child and an interpreter requires several aspects for it to be achieved. All these factors are intertwined and complementary. It is therefore necessary that patience is upheld to achieve it.

References

Anderson, P, ‘You don’t belong here in Germany’ on the social situation of children in Germany, Journal of Refugee Studies, O.U.P 14(2), 2001: pp.187-199

Coward (et al). When language Becomes a Label. BASW; Venture press.1993

Forced Migration Review. September 2004: Home for Good? Challenges of return & reintegration Vol.12 (1), pp123-136. 2004.

Heffernan, K. Social work, public management and language of service user. In British journal of social work (2006)36

Karpman, S. Fairy tales and script drama analysis. Bulletin, 1. 1968: 39 –43

Kohli, R. ‘Social work with unaccompanied asylum seeking young people’ 2001

Simmonds The adoption narratives; stories we tell and those we can’t.2000 In Katz, I and Treacher, The Dynamics of adoption: social and personal perspectives. London; Jessica Kingsle 2000

Moles, Robert Tracey’s story- Abuse at Goodwood Orphanage Adelaide, South Australia 1950’s Network Knowledge. Web.

Morrison, T. Emotional intelligence, emotion and social work; contexts, characteristics, complications and contributions. In British journal of social work 2006:37

United Nations High Commission for Refugees. Refugee Children Guideline for Protection and Care. Geneva UNHCR; 1994

Wincott, D. Playing and the Reality. New York: Basie Books.1971

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