Final answer:
The representative displayed empathetic listening, a key skill in social services that involves empathetic engagement and compassionate support.
Step-by-step explanation:
The social services representative demonstrated empathetic listening when discussing future plans with Mr. Kirby. Empathetic listening involves understanding and sharing the feelings of another, which is crucial in a social services context where a representative is expected to provide support and understanding to clients. Examples of empathetic listening include acknowledging the emotions of clients and responding in a way that shows comprehension and compassion.