In 2023, a record 106,000 visas were issued to social care workers, excluding dependants. Workers came to the UK from around the world to provide critical support to a sector with significant staff shortages and start a new life here.
The English language requirements for the visa are set at a B1 or intermediate level. In IELTS this is equivalent to a score of 4.0 in the four skills papers. At this level, an English user can understand the main points of clear texts on familiar topics in standard language, write simple texts, describe experiences, events, wishes, hopes, and explain opinions and plans.
However, while a B1 level covers a range of language scenarios carers find themselves in, there are many other situations which may be challenging. Providing empathic and effective care to distressed or confused service users can be difficult, let alone understanding different accents, especially when spoken at pace.
Many overseas care workers may therefore need language and communication support. However, those who attend local evening classes, for example, will find that lessons have a general focus and won’t target the kind of English they need to use for work.
This is why we’re delighted to announce the launch of our new course, Mastering Communication in Social Care. This short online course is specifically designed for overseas carers working in residential care homes, nursing homes, supported living and domiciliary care.
The course teaches carers the English language skills that will enable them to communicate confidently and effectively in a wide range of scenarios at work – from introductions to talking about food and drink, toileting, mobility, pain, pressure area care, falls and mental health.
Learners develop their ability to ask a variety of questions, gather and give information, make suggestions, requests and offers, give advice, instructions and directions, explain and reassure, and use appropriate language.
Mastering Communication in Social Care can be taken as a standalone self-study course of 8 hours or combined with 4 x 1.5-hour lessons for groups of up to 12 learners from an organisation. Lessons are led by an expert teacher and designed to activate and practice the target language, so giving carers the skills and confidence to communicate better with service users and colleagues.
For more information visit the webpage.
To discuss purchasing Mastering Communication in Social Care for your overseas care staff, email us on enquiries@specialistlanguagecourses.com or call us on 01273 900213.
