Information-giving: an approach for contemporary practice

ABSTRACT Information-giving, a relevant approach for contemporary practice, is a method of communication and a skill whose purpose is to develop client’s abilities to distinguish between truthful information and inaccurate information. Building clients’ trust in a non-judgemental way, and avoiding being over-authoritative, are necessary precursors to using information-giving. The negative legacy of the class system imposed harsh discipline on children, failed to build their self-esteem, and led to their lack of trust in authority. A democratising movement beginning in the 1970s resulted in more paraprofessionals being employed in community-based charities. They drew on their own lived experiences and used information-giving to support clients who experienced poverty, violence, discrimination and low self-esteem. Information-giving’s theoretical influences include person-centred, constructive approaches, empathy, empowerment, resilience and self-actualisation. Information-giving is an effective approach that can help counter the growth of ‘fake news’ and false beliefs about the Covid-19 pandemic.