We all know it when we experience it (and also when we don’t!). Good communication brings with it a sense of clarity and understanding. The lines haven’t been crossed and as such, everyone feels heard.

While effective communication is important in all areas of life, in the context of support relationships, it is especially so.

It helps to:

• Build trust – being open and transparent helps to build trust and to maintain support expectations. This also fosters continuity of care as clients are more likely to engage support workers they trust and know.
• Understand needs – when client needs are clearly identified and their disability or medical condition is understood, support workers can deliver bespoke support.
• Provide emotional support – support workers who listen to their clients have a better understanding of their needs and challenges, enabling them to be empathetic.
• Identify preferences – clients have different preferences and concerns. When communicated to their support worker, these can be respected. Clients are also able to make more decisions based on what they want which encourages autonomy.
• Provide safety – accidents and medication mishaps can be avoided when clear instructions and safety protocols are put in place.
• Work as a team – when clients, support workers, family members, therapists, doctors and others communicate well, everyone is across things.
• Resolve conflict – support relationships can also experience disagreements and misunderstandings. Being able to work through these with good communication will help resolve them quickly and constructively.