Qualifi level 4 H/505/9495- Communicating in Health and Social Care Assignment Brief 2025/26

Unit Aim:

The aim of this unit is to develop the learner’s awareness of different forms of communication  used in health and social care settings and the importance of communication for effective service  delivery. Please note that for learners working in or studying the qualification in the UK, their  evidence in relation to legislation, regulations, codes of practice etc must be in a UK context. If  learners are not in the UK, they must state the country they are referring to in relation to these  areas. 

Assignment Title:

Communicating in Health and Social Care

Assessment Requirements:

To achieve a “Pass” for this unit, learners must provide clear and sufficient evidence demonstrating that all learning outcomes have been met and that each assessment criterion has been fully addressed in accordance with the required standards.

For practical tasks, learners will be directly observed and assessed by a qualified assessor where appropriate.

UNIT LEARNING OUTCOMES:

LO1: Understand how different types of communication skills and how these are applied in a health and social care setting.

LO2: Understand the various factors which influence the communication process in health and social care.

LO3: Discuss the benefits and challenges of information and communication technology (ICT) in health and social care practice.

This assignment includes only knowledge-based criteria, which require you to write responses in your assignment worksheet.

Guidance Notes

Communication in health and social care means how information is shared between staff, service users, and families. Good communication helps build trust and improves care.

Theoretical approaches to communication are ideas that explain how communication works. For example, Argyle’s theory focuses on body language and feedback, while Tuckman’s theory looks at team communication during group development. Comparing theories means looking at both similarities and differences.

Types of communication include verbal (spoken), non-verbal (body language), written (notes or reports), and visual (pictures or signs). Different types are used depending on the person’s needs.

Barriers to communication are things that make it hard to understand or share information. These can include noise, language differences, health conditions, or stress. Barriers can be overcome using simple language, quiet spaces, and good listening skills.

Alternative means of communication are used for people with special needs. These may include sign language, Braille, picture boards, or communication devices for people who cannot speak.

Confidentiality means keeping personal information private. The Caldicott Principles are rules that help health and care workers protect patient information. Only people who need to know the information should have access.

ICT (Information and Communication Technology) helps with record-keeping, communication, and service delivery. It includes tools like electronic care plans, video calls, and mobile apps.

ICT benefits service users by giving them faster, safer, and more personalised care. It also helps
them access services from home.

ICT benefits practitioners by saving time, reducing paperwork, and improving accuracy. It also allows better sharing of information between professionals.

The Data Protection Act is a law that protects personal information. In health and social care, it means service users’ data must be used fairly, stored safely, and shared only when necessary

Suggested Resources

Guidelines for Assignment Completion and Submission

Points to consider:             Explanation

Academic Integrity and Authenticity Guidelines

Learners must ensure that all submitted work is their own, authentic, and relevant to each assignment criterion. Plagiarism: using someone else’s work without proper referencing and collusion, submitting similar work with others are serious offences. Self-plagiarism, or reusing previously submitted work without approval, is also not allowed.

Avoid relying on AIgenerated content, as it may lack originality and academic depth. Focus on aligning your responses with the specific action verbs in the criteria (e.g., evaluate, describe, explain). All submissions must include a statement of authenticity with a word count and a plagiarism similarity report using tools like Grammarly or ScanMyEssay.

UKPDA recommends the following to check plagiarism/similarity.

Avoid Using AIGenerated Content

Refrain from relying on AI-generated content for your assignments. Such content lacks depth, originality, and relevance, and could lead to academic integrity issues. Focus on creating authentic work that reflects your own understanding and research.

Referencing and Intext Citation Requirements

Learners are expected to use the Harvard Referencing System to acknowledge all sources, methodologies, and applications used. In-text citations must be included for each criterion, with full references listed in the bibliography section, following correct Harvard formatting. Only use credible, peer-reviewed sources such as books, journals, and articles published from recent five years. Avoid unreliable sources like blogs, Wikipedia, or job sites. Proper referencing reflects academic integrity and ensures adherence to scholarly standards.

Relevancy of Content

Align the content with each assignment criterion. Focus on the action verbs (e.g., assess, evaluate, identify, describe, demonstrate, explain) mentioned in the criteria and modify your responses accordingly. Irrelevant content will lead to a loss of marks and possible failure.

Duplication/selfPlagiarism

Submitting work that largely repeats material previously graded for the same or another course, here or elsewhere, counts as self-plagiarism, unless it’s an improved version approved for reassessment. This is considered academic misconduct.

Material Proofreading

Use Microsoft Word's grammar and spell check, the use of Grammarly is strictly prohibited due to its AI text-generation capabilities

Word Count Policy and Adherence:

Learners must complete the assignment within the required word count of 2000 words, with a permitted margin of +10%. This word count excludes the index, headings, tables, images, footnotes, appendices, and reference list. Strict adherence to the word count is essential. Submitting significantly less may lead to failure, while exceeding the limit can affect clarity and assessment. Learners are advised to plan and structure their content effectively to meet both the word limit and the quality expectations.

Appendices

You may include appendices with supporting information, but they must be clearly referenced in your assignment. Tables, graphs, diagrams, Gantt charts, and flowcharts that support your report should be added at the end of your submitted document. Any published sources, like annual reports or company literature, must be cited in the text using Harvard referencing and listed at the end of your assignment.

Assignment Formatting Requirements

Follow the formatting guidelines below. Use Times New Roman (Body) Font Style, Size 12 for Text, Size 13 (Bold) for Headings, 12 (Bold) for Subheadings, Justified alignment, singlespaced. Include the assessment criterion statement before each response for clarity. Proper formatting ensures a professional presentation and may impact your overall grade.

Paragraph Form and Suitable Headings

Avoid using unnecessary bullet points and short sentences. Instead, address each criterion in a well-structured paragraph with appropriate headings. This ensures clarity and coherence in your writing, making it easier for evaluators to follow your argument. Make sure that each criterion is clearly presented with proper formatting, including headings, paragraphs, and consistent style throughout.

Comprehensive Coverage of Criteria according to Assignment brief

Address all the criteria listed in the assignment brief. Missing any criterion could result in not achieving a passing grade. Make sure your response fully addresses and gives appropriate consideration to each criterion. Additionally, follow the additional guidelines or scenarios (if given) in the brief to stay relevant to the demand of the criteria. Case Studies and Visual Aids (if applicable) Incorporate relevant case studies, smart art, and figures to enhance the effectiveness of your content. This incorporation can make complex information more engaging, potentially earning you extra marks.

Updated and PeerReviewed Sources

Consult recent (within the past five years) peer-reviewed articles, journals, and booPeer-Reviewedks. Relying on current and credible sources enhances your arguments and shows that you are informed about the latest developments
in your field.

Submission Regulations and Assignment Grading Information

You must submit your coursework online via the College’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) as a single electronic document in .docx format by the due date. Submissions will be graded within seven to ten working days after the deadline.

Key Terminologies Describe

To describe means to create a picture with words, but not simply writing a list of bullet points. Your description should include relevant details that help the reader fully understand the subject.

Analyse

To analyse something means to examine it carefully and in detail to gain a deeper understanding or explanation. This involves identifying the key components or ideas of the subject and exploring the relationships and connections between them.

Evaluate

To evaluate, decide on your subject’s significance, value, or quality after carefully studying its good and bad features. mUse authoritative (e.g., from established authors or theorists in the field) and, to some extent, personal appraisal of both contributions and limitations of the subject. Similar to assessing.

Discuss

To discuss in an essay, consider your subject from different points of view. Examine, analyse and present considerations for and against the problem or statement.

Critically

Often used in conjunction with other directive words, such as critically discuss, critically examine or critically analyse. It does not mean to criticise. It is asking you to give a balanced answer that points out mistakes or weaknesses and any favourable aspects of the subject of the question. The decision or overall judgment you make must be supported with evidence from reliable sources.

Outline

To outline is to give a clear and structured summary of the main points or stages of a topic. It should be brief, focused, and show the overall structure without going into deep detail.

Compare

To compare is to examine two or more items or ideas and highlight their similarities and differences. This may also include evaluating their significance or impact in a given context.

Identify

To identify means to clearly recognise and name specific facts, features, people, problems, or ideas. It often involves listing or pointing out key elements without needing to explain them in detail. 

Describe

To describe means to create a picture with words, but not simply writing a list of bullet points. Explain To explain something, you will need to provide a clear account of your understanding, including details like why and how.