Topic 3: Address constraints to communication

Effective communication is one of the biggest contributing factors to a successful community service. The ability to efficiently communicate information and identify and resolve constraints to effective communication is essential for the delivery of quality community care.

Conflict occurs in all community service workplaces; however, the ability to detect and report early signs of difficult and complicated situations can prevent situations from escalating.

It is therefore important for community services workers to have a good understanding of the factors that contribute to workplace conflict and to use a range of communication skills to resolve those conflicts in the workplace.

In this topic you will learn how to:

3A Identify early signs of potentially complicated or difficult situations and report according to organisation procedures 

3B Identify actual constraints to effective communication and resolve using appropriate communication strategies and techniques 

3C Use communication skills to avoid, defuse and resolve conflict situations