Professional Practice as a Childcare Worker Ymarfer Proffesiynol fel Gweithiwr Gofal Plant
Developing good relationships when working with other workers and families/carers in ways that build trust Meithrin perthnasoedd effeithiol wrth weithio gydag eraill a sut i weithio i feithrin ymddiriedaeth

Developing effective relationships allows everybody to work together successfully with the aim of meeting the needs of children and their families/carers. It is important to be polite and to show respect whilst considering other people's feelings. By doing so, workers will gain the trust of others. Workers should be friendly but also professional when dealing with matters concerning children, young people and their families/carers.

Time is needed to communicate effectively with workers, other professionals, carers and families. Workers should:

• listen carefully
• be aware of confidentiality
• adapt communication methods in accordance with the situation
• respect the ideas and contributions of others
• take an interest
• show empathy
• consider the feelings of others
• be fair and consistent.

Good communication gains trust

Attitudes influence people, so it is important to act consistently and to take time to listen to the viewpoints of others. When welcoming families/carers and workers, sufficient time should be allowed, and the process of reporting or giving feedback at the end of the day should not be rushed. That will show them respect, and in turn will result in a good relationship between the home and the care setting. It may be necessary to speak to professionals who are working with the parents/carers of a disabled child or who come from a different cultural background more often.

A friendly and professional attitude will make it easy for parents/carers, staff and professionals to approach the setting. It is important to be professional - consulting with more experienced members of staff or professionals if there is any uncertainty with regard to how much information should be shared with a parent/carer. Being a member of a team makes it easy to ask for help and to act in accordance with that help for the benefit of the children. Attending regular meetings and undertaking appropriate training will contribute to the development of effective relationships. With efficient time-keeping and organisation, workers will conduct themselves in a professional manner.

Good communication gains trust and includes the following elements:

• Listening carefully and encouraging other people to ask questions - not controlling the conversation; being ready to repeat information or refer the parents/carers to more experienced colleagues. Looking directly into the eyes of people when speaking to them helps to give that person your full attention.
• Clear explanations and correct and relevant information - no swearing or long-winded stories, keep to the point and be professional. Thinking about the question that was asked. Not every parent/carer knows about the Foundation Phase or the development aims. Not every worker and other professional is completely aware of each other's roles. Using a language that everybody understands.
• Open body language and open questioning - an open question is a question that requires an answer, which can lead to a conversation. Open body language also shows friendliness and a willingness to discuss or talk to somebody. Both are important when speaking to parents/carers, staff and other professionals.

Barriers to developing effective relationships:

• a lack of communication
• weak leadership
• professionals who are unaware of other roles
• a difficulty in sharing information
• weak listening skills
• an inability to time-manage
• an inability to make decisions
• lack of organisation
• getting inconsistent advice
• the timing of appointments
• insufficient training
• lack of motivation
• lack of respect.

Mae datblygu cydberthnasau effeithiol yn caniatáu i bawb weithio gyda’i gilydd yn llwyddiannus gyda’r nod o ddiwallu anghenion plant a’u teuluoedd/gofalwyr. Mae’n bwysig bod yn gwrtais a dangos parch gan ystyried teimladau eraill. Yn sgil hyn, bydd gweithwyr yn ennyn ymddiriedaeth eraill. Mae angen bod yn gyfeillgar ond hefyd yn broffesiynol wrth ddelio gyda materion sy’n ymdrin â phlant, pobl ifanc a’u teuluoedd/gofalwyr.

Mae angen amser i gyfathrebu'n effeithiol â'r gweithwyr, gweithwyr proffesiynol eraill, gofalwyr a theuluoedd. Mae angen:

• gwrando’n ofalus
• bod yn ymwybodol o gyfrinachedd
• addasu dulliau cyfathrebu i weddu i’r sefyllfa
• parchu syniadau a chyfraniadau eraill
• cymryd diddordeb
• dangos empathi
• ystyried teimladau eraill
• bod yn deg a chyson.

Mae cyfathrebu da yn ennyn ymddiriedaeth

Mae agweddau'n dylanwadu ar bobl, felly, mae'n bwysig bod yn gyson a chymryd amser i wrando ar safbwyntiau eraill. Mae angen sicrhau rhoi amser i deuluoedd/gofalwyr a gweithwyr wrth eu cyfarch yn groesawgar, a pheidio â rhuthro i roi adroddiad neu adborth iddynt ar ddiwedd y dydd. Bydd hynny'n dangos parch atynt a bydd hynny’n arwain at berthynas dda rhwng y cartref a'r lleoliad gofal. Efallai y bydd angen siarad yn amlach gyda gweithwyr proffesiynol sy’n cydweithio â rhiant/gofalwr plentyn anabl neu sy'n dod o gefndir diwylliannol gwahanol. Bydd agwedd gyfeillgar a phroffesiynol yn ei gwneud yn hawdd i rieni/gofalwyr, staff a gweithwyr proffesiynol ymwneud â’r lleoliad. Rhaid bod yn broffesiynol - gan ymgynghori ag aelodau mwy profiadol o’r staff neu weithiwr proffesiynol arall os nad oes sicrwydd ynghylch faint o wybodaeth y dylid ei rannu gyda rhiant/gofalwr. Mae bod yn aelod o dîm yn ei gwneud yn hawdd gofyn am gymorth a gweithredu ar y cymorth hwnnw er budd y plant. Bydd mynychu cyfarfodydd yn rheolaidd ac ymgymryd â hyfforddiant priodol yn cyfrannu at feithrin cydberthnasau effeithiol. Wrth gadw at amser a bod yn drefnus, bydd gweithwyr yn ymddwyn yn broffesiynol.

Mae cyfathrebu da yn meithrin ymddiriedaeth ac yn cynnwys yr elfennau isod.

• Gwrando'n frwd ac annog pobl eraill i ofyn cwestiynau - peidio â rheoli'r sgwrs; bod yn barod i ailadrodd gwybodaeth neu gyfeirio'r rhieni/gofalwyr at gydweithiwr sy'n fwy profiadol. Mae edrych i fyw llygaid pobl wrth siarad â nhw yn help i roi sylw llawn i'r person hwnnw.
• Esboniadau clir a gwybodaeth gywir a pherthnasol - dim rhegi na straeon hir, cadw at y pwynt a bod yn broffesiynol. Meddwl am y cwestiwn sydd wedi'i ofyn. Nid yw pob rhiant/gofalwr yn gwybod am y Cyfnod Sylfaen nac am nodau datblygu. Nid yw pob gweithiwr a gweithwyr proffesiynol eraill yn hollol ymwybodol o rolau ei gilydd. Defnyddio iaith y mae pawb yn ei deall.
• Iaith corff agored a chwestiynau agored - ystyr cwestiwn agored yw cwestiwn y mae angen ateb iddo ac fe all hyn arwain at sgwrs. Mae iaith corff agored hefyd yn dangos cyfeillgarwch a pharodrwydd i drafod neu sgwrsio â rhywun. Mae'r ddau'n bwysig wrth siarad â rhieni/gofalwyr, staff a gweithwyr proffesiynol eraill.

Rhwystrau wrth feithrin cydberthnasau effeithiol:

• diffyg cyfathrebu
• arweinyddiaeth wan
• gweithwyr proffesiynol ddim yn ymwybodol o rolau eraill
• anhawster rhannu gwybodaeth
• sgiliau gwrando gwan
• methu rheoli amser
• methu gwneud penderfyniadau
• anhrefnus
• derbyn cyngor anghyson
• amseriad apwyntiadau
• hyfforddiant annigonol
• dim cymhelliad
• diffyg parch.