Communication and Interpersonal Skills in Social Work
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Communication and Interpersonal Skills in Social Work
Instructor: Sage Instructors
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What you'll learn
Develop effective communication strategies for building trust with clients.
Enhance emotional regulation and empathetic attunement in professional settings.
Apply practical techniques for managing difficult conversations and diverse client interactions.
Skills you'll gain
- Communication
- Community and Social Work
- Ethical Standards And Conduct
- Discussion Facilitation
- Social Work
- Patient Communication
- Parent Communication
- Family Support
- De-escalation Techniques
- Group Therapy
- Non-Verbal Communication
- Cultural Diversity
- Rapport Building
- Empathy & Emotional Intelligence
- Interpersonal Communications
- Conflict Management
- Cultural Responsiveness
- Family Therapy
- Working With Children
- Communication Disorders
Details to know
June 2026
11 assignments
See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills
There are 11 modules in this course
This course focuses on essential communication and interpersonal skills critical in social work, highlighting their role in fostering trust, managing emotions, and navigating complex client interactions. Effective communication is key to professional success and client outcomes in this field.
Learners will develop practical strategies for building relationships, managing emotional responses, and engaging with diverse client populations. By applying these skills, professionals can handle challenging interactions, facilitate group dynamics, and support clients with varying needs. What sets this course apart is its combination of theory and real-world practice. Each topic integrates evidence-based approaches with examples from social work settings, ensuring learners can immediately apply techniques to real-life scenarios. This course is ideal for social work students and professionals who wish to strengthen their communication abilities. A foundational understanding of social work principles is recommended to fully benefit from the material. This course is based on the book, Communication and Interpersonal Skills in Social Work, by Juliet Koprowska. Copyright Β©2020 by Sage Publications Limited. All rights reserved, including rights for text and data mining and training of artificial technologies or similar technologies. Published by Sage Publications Limited, London. Used by arrangement with Sage Publications Limited.
This module examines the foundations of effective communication in social work, exploring key theories, concepts, and practical skills. Learners will analyze how context, paralanguage, feedback, and systemic thinking shape professional interactions. Through case studies and exercises, participants will develop a deeper understanding of communication dynamics in real-world scenarios.
What's included
1 video7 readings1 assignment
1 videoβ’Total 1 minute
- Overviewβ’1 minute
7 readingsβ’Total 39 minutes
- Introductionβ’4 minutes
- Metacommunication, rules, conversation analysis and habitusβ’6 minutes
- General systems theoryβ’8 minutes
- Paralanguage, multiple meanings and emotionβ’4 minutes
- Feedback and homeostasis in social work practiceβ’5 minutes
- Context, role and goalβ’7 minutes
- Communication in contextβ’5 minutes
1 assignmentβ’Total 16 minutes
- Exploring Communication Fundamentalsβ’16 minutes
This module examines evidence-based communication strategies in social work, highlighting the impact of skilled communication on service user outcomes. Learners will explore key research findings, the concept of the working alliance, and factors that contribute to effective professional relationships. The module also reviews historical and contemporary studies to understand what matters most to service users.
What's included
1 video6 readings1 assignment
1 videoβ’Total 1 minute
- Overviewβ’1 minute
6 readingsβ’Total 38 minutes
- Introductionβ’3 minutes
- Does skilled communication make a difference?β’4 minutes
- The working allianceβ’5 minutes
- Research into social work practiceβ’5 minutes
- People with mental health problems and their social workersβ’6 minutes
- More recent research β what works for service usersβ’15 minutes
1 assignmentβ’Total 16 minutes
- Communication in Social Work Practiceβ’16 minutes
This module delves into how humans perceive, express, and interpret emotions through facial cues and non-verbal communication, with a focus on their significance in social work practice. Learners will explore cultural and developmental influences on emotional expression, the neuroscience behind imitation and emotional regulation, and practical strategies for applying these insights in real-world social work scenarios.
What's included
1 video8 readings1 assignment
1 videoβ’Total 1 minute
- Overviewβ’1 minute
8 readingsβ’Total 39 minutes
- Introductionβ’5 minutes
- Display rules and some cultural and gender differencesβ’5 minutes
- Infants and human facesβ’5 minutes
- Imitationβ’4 minutes
- Right brain, left brainβ’6 minutes
- Practice applicationβ’6 minutes
- Emotional regulation, GCEA and social workβ’4 minutes
- Theory into practiceβ’4 minutes
1 assignmentβ’Total 16 minutes
- The Human Face of Social Workβ’16 minutes
This module introduces foundational skills for effective communication and ethical practice in social work. Learners will explore strategies for making positive first impressions, initiating contact through various channels, and navigating both planned and unplanned encounters with service users and professionals. Emphasis is placed on adaptability, professionalism, and accurate documentation in diverse organizational settings.
What's included
1 video11 readings1 assignment
1 videoβ’Total 1 minute
- Overviewβ’1 minute
11 readingsβ’Total 52 minutes
- Introductionβ’4 minutes
- First impressions countβ’4 minutes
- Making contact by letterβ’4 minutes
- Making contact by phoneβ’8 minutes
- Non-verbal contentβ’4 minutes
- Being on duty: expect the unexpectedβ’4 minutes
- Meeting peopleβ’6 minutes
- Agency-based meetingsβ’4 minutes
- Starting interviewsβ’5 minutes
- Forms of addressβ’6 minutes
- Making notes and completing formsβ’3 minutes
1 assignmentβ’Total 16 minutes
- Foundations of Professional Practice in Social Workβ’16 minutes
This module delves into essential social work skills such as effective communication, ethical intervention, and managing the conclusion of professional relationships. Learners will explore practical strategies for gathering information, giving advice, and handling both planned and unplanned endings with clients. Emphasis is placed on real-world application and reflective practice.
What's included
1 video9 readings1 assignment
1 videoβ’Total 1 minute
- Overviewβ’1 minute
9 readingsβ’Total 44 minutes
- Introductionβ’4 minutes
- Advice-givingβ’5 minutes
- Getting to know SAVIβ’6 minutes
- Explanationsβ’8 minutes
- Gathering information β asking and answering questionsβ’4 minutes
- Leading Questionsβ’5 minutes
- Paraphrasing and summarisingβ’5 minutes
- Bringing working relationships to an endβ’4 minutes
- Unplanned endingsβ’3 minutes
1 assignmentβ’Total 16 minutes
- Navigating Empathy and Communication in Social Workβ’16 minutes
This module examines effective communication strategies for engaging with children and families in social work, emphasizing ethical considerations, diversity, and the importance of direct work. Learners will explore approaches for working with infants, parents, and fathers, as well as techniques for addressing emotions and language barriers. The module also introduces models for family engagement, including Family Group Conferencing and the use of genograms.
What's included
1 video13 readings1 assignment
1 videoβ’Total 1 minute
- Overviewβ’1 minute
13 readingsβ’Total 68 minutes
- Introductionβ’5 minutes
- The importance of working with childrenβ’5 minutes
- Infantsβ’4 minutes
- Examples of work with parents and infantsβ’4 minutes
- Involving fathersβ’4 minutes
- Direct work with childrenβ’6 minutes
- Memoryβ’6 minutes
- Recognising and talking about emotionsβ’5 minutes
- Taking care with languageβ’6 minutes
- Working with familiesβ’6 minutes
- Family practicesβ’6 minutes
- Direct work with familiesβ’6 minutes
- Family Group Conferencingβ’5 minutes
1 assignmentβ’Total 16 minutes
- Navigating Communication and Family Dynamics in Social Workβ’16 minutes
This module delves into the foundational theories and practical strategies for effective group work in social contexts. Learners will examine group dynamics, planning processes, leadership roles, and ethical considerations to enhance group interventions. Real-world examples and structured planning tools are explored to support successful group facilitation.
What's included
1 video11 readings1 assignment
1 videoβ’Total 1 minute
- Overviewβ’1 minute
11 readingsβ’Total 60 minutes
- Introductionβ’4 minutes
- Prior experience of groupsβ’4 minutes
- Models for group workβ’5 minutes
- Planning and preparationβ’6 minutes
- 3. What is the purpose of the group?β’7 minutes
- 5. How will members be referred or identified?β’6 minutes
- 10. How will group time be spent? How does that link to purpose?β’5 minutes
- Leadershipβ’4 minutes
- Beginnings ...β’5 minutes
- Confidentiality and other normsβ’8 minutes
- Choosing a subgroup: a fork in the roadβ’6 minutes
1 assignmentβ’Total 16 minutes
- Exploring Group Behavior and Dynamicsβ’16 minutes
This module examines effective social work practices for supporting individuals with diverse communication needs, including linguistic minorities, Deaf and visually impaired people, and those experiencing temporary or permanent changes in communicative ability. Learners will explore ethical considerations, the use of interpreters, and strategies for adapting interventions to ensure inclusive and equitable service delivery.
What's included
1 video7 readings1 assignment
1 videoβ’Total 1 minute
- Overviewβ’1 minute
7 readingsβ’Total 36 minutes
- Introductionβ’5 minutes
- Activity 8.1β’4 minutes
- Longer-standing residentsβ’5 minutes
- Deafness and hearing lossβ’5 minutes
- Working with interpretersβ’5 minutes
- Visual impairmentβ’7 minutes
- Permanent or temporary changes in communicative abilityβ’5 minutes
1 assignmentβ’Total 16 minutes
- Navigating Communication Challenges with Diverse Populationsβ’16 minutes
This module examines the unique challenges and strategies involved in working with involuntary service users in social work. Learners will explore ethical considerations, communication techniques, and intervention skills, including pro-social modeling and structured problem-solving. Real-world case studies and legal frameworks are used to deepen understanding and practical application.
What's included
1 video6 readings1 assignment
1 videoβ’Total 1 minute
- Overviewβ’1 minute
6 readingsβ’Total 36 minutes
- Introductionβ’5 minutes
- Case studyβ’5 minutes
- 'Vulnerable' involuntary service usersβ’7 minutes
- Building the working alliance with involuntary service usersβ’6 minutes
- Pro-social modellingβ’7 minutes
- Problem-solvingβ’6 minutes
1 assignmentβ’Total 16 minutes
- Navigating Involuntary Service Relationshipsβ’16 minutes
This module examines how social workers can recognize, understand, and respond to hostility and deception in professional settings. Learners will explore theories of aggression, contextual factors influencing behavior, and practical communication strategies to manage risk and maintain safety. Emphasis is placed on applying professional standards and developing effective interpersonal skills.
What's included
1 video7 readings1 assignment
1 videoβ’Total 1 minute
- Overviewβ’1 minute
7 readingsβ’Total 38 minutes
- Introductionβ’5 minutes
- Activity 10.1β’5 minutes
- Why are people aggressive?β’8 minutes
- Context factorsβ’4 minutes
- Recognising and responding to aggressionβ’6 minutes
- Verbal signs of aggressionβ’5 minutes
- Deceptionβ’5 minutes
1 assignmentβ’Total 16 minutes
- Navigating Hostility and Deception in Practiceβ’16 minutes
This module examines the complexities of interpersonal work in social care, focusing on professionalism, ethics, and the emotional demands of helping others. Learners will explore the concept of emotional labour, reflect on personal motivations and challenges, and consider strategies for maintaining resilience and preventing burnout.
What's included
1 video5 readings1 assignment
1 videoβ’Total 1 minute
- Overviewβ’1 minute
5 readingsβ’Total 25 minutes
- Introductionβ’5 minutes
- Activity 11.1β’5 minutes
- Emotional labourβ’6 minutes
- Activity 11.2β’4 minutes
- Burnout, resilience and compassionβ’5 minutes
1 assignmentβ’Total 16 minutes
- Exploring Emotional and Interpersonal Challenges in Workβ’16 minutes
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