Responsibilities of a Group Worker as facilitator
The role of the facilitator in changing perceptions of group members is relevant in mutual aid based support groups and self-help groups as interdependent institutions that require minimal professional intervention. The group worker is only a facilitator in the whole process.
Another role that is preferred in favour of a non-leadership approach is that of a facilitator.
The facilitator’s aim is a) to establish the conditions and trust in the group whereby members can help each other and then to “get out of the way” to allow them to do so; b) to benefit the individuals in the group by making as full use as possible of the group’s potential as a vehicle for helping.
The role of the professional facilitator who is successful in empowering peer leaders will gradually shift to that of a consultant to deal with specific task-related problems.
Facilitating the group process involves motivating and helping members to participate actively and cooperatively since the primary means of facilitation in a group is members supporting and challenging each other, which complements the worker’s input to guide the members’ work.
. Life skills education is a structured program of needs- and outcomes-based participatory learning aimed at enhancing positive and adaptive behaviors by assisting individuals to develop and practice psychosocial skills that reduce risk factors and maximize protective factors. Life skills education programmes are theory- and evidence-based, learner-centred, delivered by competent facilitators, and evaluated to ensure continual improvement with appropriately documented outcomes.
Social group work enables members to appreciate and support their colleagues and peers. They understand that changes in their personality are also due to the contributions of other members. This leads to increase self-confidence, self-esteem and ultimately enhance social skills and in this process, the role of group work cannot be underestimated. Also, group work leads to increased coverage of topics, resulting in increased participation and engagement of members.
Here are some important benefits of social work group practice in the context of life skills education. · Group experience is universal and an essential part of human existence
· Groups can be used to effect changes in behaviour and the behaviour of individuals
· Groups provide experiences that can be monitored or selected for beneficial ends.
· Life outside the group is by no means neglected, it is left out of attention.
· Groups provide shared experiences with others so that everyone can have something in common, with a sense of belonging and growing together.
· Helping others can be economical in the use of scarce resources, such as skilled workers, time, etc. Groups are also more efficient in terms of resources.