Health and Social Care a-level research

[dani33]

Hi,

I am studying Health and Social Care at a-level and for my summer homework, I have stumbled across a question I cannot find the answer to anywhere. How can British Sign Language help to build positive relationships between service users and professional care workers?

I would be extremely grateful if anyone could answer this question for me.

Dani.

[Christina Nicole Graham]

Hi Dani, I am a support worker for disabled adults and BSL is used to communicate with service users that are not only deaf but those that have limited verbal communcation. Often at school they will learn a mix of BSL and makaton and will use their signs to ask for things like going to the toilet, food or activities. By knowing BSL I am able to understand their requests and help them and those that do having hearing problems I can communicate back. It also helps manage challenging behaviour because if ignored thier frustration could lead to an incident but i am able to find the problem and fix it before this happens. This in turn helps foster a positive relationship because the service users trust that I can understand and help them and feel equal and they know they have a voice (if not a literal voice). Without signing some of my SU would have no way of communicating their needs and wants. Hope this helps ! 

:)