Foundation Group Work Skills (FGWS) EDINBURGH

Aim

To explore, understand and have an opportunity to practice the key essential skills of group work facilitation.

Learning outcomes:

On successful completion of the training, participants will:

 Have an understanding of the some of the key theoretical approaches which underpin therapeutic group-work, including

o Background and development of therapeutic group-work

o Tuckman’s group stages

o Yalom’s therapeutic factors

o Core conditions

o Cognitive Behavioural Theory

o Attachment Theory.

 Be able to explain the benefits of co-facilitation in a group-work setting, the skills involved in co-working and some of the potential difficulties.

 Be able to describe, demonstrate and offer feedback to peers on the key skills and competencies of group facilitation, including

o Qualities of warmth, empathy, respect and being directive

o Communication skills & styles

o Questioning styles

o Challenge

o Boundaries

o Ethical practice

o Planning & preparation

 Have planned and prepared a group-work session working jointly with a colleague.

 Have delivered a group-work session from their own area of practice in CJSW or a suitable generic alternative – for example, the change cycle, a problem solving model or relapse prevention.

 Have both received, and offered appropriate, structured feedback to peers on preparation and delivery of a group session.

In addition, course participants will also have an opportunity to:

 Experience group dynamics in the training setting

 Explore issues of resistance to participation in groups, and specifically consider methods of working with reluctant or “involuntary” clients.

 Consider the application of theory and core facilitation to each of their areas of group-work practice.

 Reflect on their learning, develop methods which assist reflective practice, and consider their ongoing learning needs.

 Develop understanding of the importance and role of monitoring & supervision in maintaining programme integrity.