Workshop title: An introduction to group working Presented by – Date – “No man is an island, entire of itself.” John Donne

Workshop Aim To develop an understanding of how CLIAG can be delivered effectively through group work

Objectives: By the end of the session participants will be able to: List ways of delivering CLIAG in a group setting Identify features of effective group work in CLIAG Use the group work activities introduced in the session Identify skills needed by CLIAG practitioners to work with groups Plan a group session

Introductions: A Fun Way to Get to Know People! The group leader starts off by throwing the cushion at a participant who says their name, and throws it on to another member of the group, who also says their name. Continue until all members of the group have said who they are. Participants try to remember the names of the other group members. If there is time, start again but this time with the group member calling out the name of the individual to whom they are throwing the cushion.

Ice-Breakers for Groups Work in small groups. Share ideas about effective icebreakers that you have experienced as a group member, or used with groups as a group leader What was effective about them? Put your ideas on post-it notes and display on the wall

What are the Advantages of Group Work in CLIAG? Work in pairs Identify what you think people gain from group activities

What are the Advantages of Delivering CLIAG Through Group Work? It can do the following: Develop peer support Offer the opportunity to share life and work experiences and for participants to learn from each other Improve confidence and self-esteem through positive feedback Help to challenge inappropriate perceptions Help motivate Give a greater range of perspectives Develop and improve communication skills Enable input from external speakers

Are our Skills Transferable? Form groups of five or six. Divide the paper on your table into 2 columns. On one side list the skills you as a practitioner use for one-to- one interactions with individuals. When the signal is given, leave one member of your group at your table whilst the rest swap to a new table. Then at your new table list the skills needed by practitioners delivering CLIAG through group work, mapping these across to the previous list, noting in a different colour skills specific to group work. This group activity is sometimes called ‘the World café” or “Knowledge café”.

Delivering an IAG Process in Groups Activity: Work in pairs. On the chart ( handout 4) ‘Delivernig an IAG process in groups” list the ways in which you might deliver the activities in the left hand column within a group context.

Speed Dating Effective activities and methods Effective resources Effective facilitators Don’t forget to say why!

What Could Go Wrong? Running out of time Difficult behaviour Lack of motivation to attend Group driven by funding requirements / bureaucracy Different needs / interest or levels People arriving late Group too small or too large Inadequate attention in planning to any additional needs Can you think of any others?

Resources, CPD and Training Books and training packs Ptlls NVQ group work units Learning from experienced practitioners Conference workshops

Revisiting our objectives By the end of the session participants will be able to: List ways of delivering CLIAG in a group setting Identify features of effective group work in CLIAG Use the group work activities introduced in the session Identify skills needed by CLIAG practitioners to work with groups Plan a group session