support worker question

wilson1973

I rang about about a support worker job today and to be fair i wasn't really expecting a quick interview over the phone,one question i was asked was if you were looking after somebody that couldn't speak how would you communicate with them to ask them what they wanted to eat i said you could do it in written form...saying that they may not be able to read or show them food stuffs from cupboards etc to give them suggestions,does anyone else have a clue,i suppose i should have a look for a suitable book from the library for reference

zenmaster

wilson1973 wrote: »

... if you were looking after somebody that couldn't speak how would you communicate with them to ask them what they wanted to eat ...

If they can't speak it doesn't necessarily mean they can't hear so you could just ask them!

My daughter is a support worker and learned sign language to communicate with those who were deaf and dumb. They even had a special 'touch' language for one client who was deaf, dumb and blind.

PS She loves the job even though she has at times been punched, kicked, scratched and bitten. It's not a job for the faint hearted.

Anihilator

wilson1973 wrote: »

I rang about about a support worker job today and to be fair i wasn't really expecting a quick interview over the phone,one question i was asked was if you were looking after somebody that couldn't speak how would you communicate with them to ask them what they wanted to eat i said you could do it in written form...saying that they may not be able to read or show them food stuffs from cupboards etc to give them suggestions,does anyone else have a clue,i suppose i should have a look for a suitable book from the library for reference

You probably also need to bear in mind that sometimes its reading the signs as well. I.e if they go into a shell or become aggressive or emotional there may not be a problem.

A lot of vulnerable people can't communicate a simple no and use other ways to do.

Tbh given your post on the others thread I would suggest you arent going to be suited to this job.

wilson1973

Yes i imagine there are many fraught moments,i suppose it was a means of screening people quickly over the phone,i had actually rang them about something else and was a little thrown to be given a quick test i felt that i blew it to be honest but i have composed a letter giving them a taste of my life and what im about......Thanks

Anihilator

wilson1973 wrote: »

Yes i imagine there are many fraught moments,i suppose it was a means of screening people quickly over the phone,i had actually rang them about something else and was a little thrown to be given a quick test i felt that i blew it to be honest but i have composed a letter giving them a taste of my life and what im about......Thanks

Fraught moments?

Seriously do not get into a career you know nothing about. As for blowing it and writing a letter. When you are caring for someone you won't have time to sit and compose your thoughts. The inability to act under pressure means you are not suitable.

wilson1973

you really haven't got a clue, i did answer the questions,everybody starts somewhere you havent got a clue about my background or the situations ive faced in life...shame on you!

danielle1977

QUick list of ways to communicate
-communication aide, also called talker, can be operated by head switches or buttons under foot, next to knee etc depending on ability, can also be operated by little sticker on forehead or glasses or by touch
-communication book, book with symbols in, can point using hands, eye point etc
-eyepointing, indicating yes/no or choice, often look at this hand for yes or this one for no
-signs symbols makaton

If you want more info about them google or other search engine them or pm me or you could try diabililty section in forum.

Remember if your struggling to communicate remember they will be getting stressed too, so be patient and get a co-worker to help (I was told saying that got me my job as an ot assistant at a college for people with physical disabilties-so I hope it helps you too).

danielle1977

wilson1973 wrote: »

i said you could do it in written form...saying that they may not be able to read or show them food stuffs from cupboards etc to give them suggestions,does anyone else have a clue,

I think that answer is fine-if you don't know the persons exact disability how are you expected to answer-did the job say it was working with someone with communication difficulties?

I forgot to ad lip reading to my list, and body language, sometimes a persons face can tell you.

wilson1973

Hi the job advert just gave a brief outline of the people you may be supporting,including those who have misused substances,people with support needs in literacy and social skills

Anihilator

danielle1977 wrote: »

QUick list of ways to communicate
-communication aide, also called talker, can be operated by head switches or buttons under foot, next to knee etc depending on ability, can also be operated by little sticker on forehead or glasses or by touch
-communication book, book with symbols in, can point using hands, eye point etc
-eyepointing, indicating yes/no or choice, often look at this hand for yes or this one for no
-signs symbols makaton

If you want more info about them google or other search engine them or pm me or you could try diabililty section in forum.

Remember if your struggling to communicate remember they will be getting stressed too, so be patient and get a co-worker to help (I was told saying that got me my job as an ot assistant at a college for people with physical disabilties-so I hope it helps you too).

Think your answer is too simplistic.

Your not factoring in anything like behaviour etc. You are technically answering the question but you would also hope the person would think outside the box a bit more about the outcomes etc

danielle1977

I said it was a quick list not a comprehensive book on communication, I did it from thinking about the people I work with, to give the OP an idea about some of the ways people communicate-you could go on to say loads about additional factors that affect communication-weather, hunger, mood, needing toilet/personal care, whether the cat has died or something more serious, colds/flu, whether they have had medication, activities planned for the day, activities already done, tiredness, the persons cognitive level it goes on forever, and thats all relevent for the support worker and the client/service user/paitent/whatever the politcally correct word is today.

Do you always try to shoot people down whenever they are trying to be helpful?