• Gain a clear understanding of facilitation and where it can best be used
• Learn how to structure and run a facilitated activity
• Experience a variety of structured facilitation techniques
• Learn strategies for working with group behaviours
• Have the opportunity to practice facilitating a small group

Who should attend?
New or inexperienced facilitators
HR and development staff
Newly appointed consultants and advisers
Managers wishing to promote the greater use of facilitation approaches within their groups

Learning method
This course has a large element of participation with individuals learning by trying out the issues and techniques. The structure during the two days is flexible in order to give greater emphasis to meeting the particular needs of the group.

Programme content

Day 1
What is facilitation?
Creating an understanding of facilitation
Being a facilitator for a group
Role of the facilitator
Role of the organisation in facilitation
Key skills for effective facilitation
Using structured techniques
The "stretch and squeeze" structure of the techniques
Types of techniques
Structuring discussions in groups
Use of the "focused discussion" process
Practicing the process
Exploring simple techniques
Generating ideas
Handling information
Prioritising
Reaching conclusions
Planning for facilitation
Tips for effective planning
Preparation for individual practice session

Day 2
Motivating groups
How the facilitator can help motivation
Individual practice sessions
Opportunity for participants to practice facilitating a small group with constructive feedback
Behaviours in groups
Understanding the dynamics
Tips and hints for difficult behaviours
Progress sheets
Reviewing individual and group progress
Action planning

Note
This programme can be amalgamated with the Facilitating Learning and Development Groups and the Facilitating Problem-solving Groups programmes to produce a tailor-made three-day programme for individuals needing to work with decision-making or learning and development groups.