Reflection_Group_Work

For the purpose of this assignment, I will reflect upon a direct observation in which I planned, facilitated and actively undertook for a piece of group work. I performed this task within my placement thus aiming towards developing my cognitive and met cognitive abilities while utilising my interpersonal skills. This piece of work gives me the opportunity to perform a reflective evaluation of the effectiveness of my practice. By being reflective in my practice it enables me to Measure the effectiveness and consider my planning stages of group work. Then to evaluate whether the set outcomes initially planned and undertaken had been successful or not. In addition to build on any strengths and positive aspects of learning, with gained knowledge and skills Furthermore by critiquing my experiences within practice, personal assumptions ,biases values and beliefs it enables me to synthesize future different strategies and recognise learning beyond the description of the experience. In addition I will analyse how I utilized my interpersonal skills and how effective the communication styles that I I implemented were. Furthermore, to demonstrated an understanding of the group processes, dynamics, methods, and skills. DeRoos (1990 p 190.) defines reflection in practice, or reflecting in action, as “the conscious evaluation of action during the course of action” This means that one needs to pay attention to both one’s client and oneself. However, this can be especially challenging when the client is within a group environment. To help prevent such challenges within group work, it is therefore essential to have knowledge of group dynamics and individual’s intrapersonal dynamics. More so, it will help me in understanding personal emotions perceived when working with different service users and environments. An important factor of self-reflection is that a practitioner develops the capacity to understand his or her emotional responses to clients, and to the difficult situations that occur when we practice (Furman, Langer, & Anderson, 2006) In this reflection, I am going to use Gibbs (1988) Reflective Cycle (an adaption of Kolb (1984) model). Gibbs focused on six different stage processes subsequently forming a basis for following a continuous process of learning thus strengthening my future practice. The cycle starts with a description and experience of the situation or event this becomes the basis of the reflection. Next is to analysis of the feelings, third is an evaluation of the experience, fourth stage is an analysis to make sense of the experience, fifth stage is a conclusion of what else could I have done and final stage is an action plan to prepare if the situation arose again (NHS, 2006). Reflection is described by Moon (1999) as, “reflection is a form of mental processing a form of thinking that we use to fulfil a purpose or to achieve some anticipated outcome. It is applied to relatively complicated or unstructured ideas for which there is not an obvious solution. There is an outcome to the process.” However, Siviter (2004, p.165) explain that reflection is about gaining self-confidence, identify when to improve, learning from own mistakes and behaviour. I began the process of planning for a direct observation for facilitating a piece of group work in my placement. I found this stage the most difficult requiring me to identify a topic that would retain the service users attention ,With delivering and adapting all relevant literature and materials to suit the diverse range of service users. my placement is a day centre aimed at providing respite care for families and carers and provides various activities, which include mental and physical stimulation aiming towards improving health, well-being and prevent social isolation it focuses mainly on over 50 ‘s and includes a diverse range of service users male and female. I identified a gap in relation to providing an educational continuous programme for the preventative measures in falls .Which is identified as a government initiative ,that aimed at providing educational knowledge , to empower service users to make an informed choice regarding their well-being and prevent elderly patients from being hospitalise . After recent research concluded many elderly patients, who was admitted on a intermediate care ward had experienced a fall within the home which could have been prevented Despite the initial planning stage being a lot more complex and challenging, due to my lack of knowledge in preventative measures For me to achieve my set goal ,I needed to research and make myself aware of the chosen subject and make a planning process. As Gower(1987) states, planning adequately because ‘effective planning is at the heart of effective teaching and learning.’ Nevertheless, personal determination filled my mind to be successful in facilitating this topic for my group work. Overwhelmed, by passionate feelings of making awareness of the risks and minimising any falls. Furthermore , I would feel contented if i could just prevent one elderly person from suffering. all my extra research will be worthwhile, First I collected Information from variety of organisations; The National Health Service (N.H.S), National Institute for Clinical Excellence (N.I.C.E.) and Staff from the Adult safeguarding unit . In addition, I approached many service users to discuss and obtain their views in relation to my topic for group work . To enable me to make an accurate evaluation I included a diverse range of service users ,to include both of which had and had not experienced a fall. It became clear that several service users had experienced a fall within the home environment. Furthermore , I learned that many elderly service users had fears of falling and was highlighted as one of the main stress factor affecting upon their daily living. After I acquired adequate information, the next process was to process the information adequatlyt to enable me to interpreatae it in a diverse informal way to gain a better outcome .I ensured that I avoided any professional jargon making the information easily digestible and understandable A group of four service users where randomly selected to participate on the set day . This group size was chosen due to room availabilities and set resources , thus ensuring health and safety regulations were followed . All service users were fully informed prior to the direct observation work. Despite retaing adequate information on the topic, I felt extremely worried and nervous about begin observed . This was quite possibly due to the fact this was my first direct observation. I introduced myself and my practice tutor to the four service users, and proceeded onto putting all those plans into actions. I planned to play the D.V.D but unfortunately there was as you call a technique hitch it would not play. I was filled with thoughts of failure as a member of staff tried to assist but resulted in no success. I will not forget this experience in a hurry. The problem here, I believe, was the fact that I had not fully checked all equipment and materials just prior to facilitating the group. In reflection upon this, for future work its essential that I pre check all equipment thoroughly . In the light of what ,I believed ,to be a bad start it created an self awareness of my interpersonal skills, which I was previously unaware . By managing to successfully re shape my group plans, and overcoming my initial technical problem. The breakdown of group dynamics were avoided also I retained a purposeful focus within the group . What's more by positively taking leadership, using my interpersonal and communication skills efficiently, with actively engaging all group members proved to be strength. McDermott (2002) suggests, that groups are defined by consisting of at least two persons, that share space and share a purpose. Furthermore, McDermott goes on to conclude, while groups are extremely powerful phenomena, they also hold the possibility and potential of learning how to share that power. Group dynamics is the study of groups; also it is a general term for group processes. Relevant to the fields of psychology, sociology, and communication studies, a group is two or more individuals who are connected to each other by social relationships. Because they interact and influence each other, groups develop a number of dynamic processes that separate them from a random collection of individuals (Forsyth, D.R. 2006). Groups possess similar attributes, which influence aspects such as cohesiveness, performance, and group members. These aspects, in their turn, also influence the group's emotional state. Kurt Lewin (1943, 1948, 1951), who many argue is the founder of the movement to study groups scientifically, I believe to have a very good rapport with all group members and feel this is transparent thorough out within my relationship and professional boundaries . For future group work I aim to obtain as much feedback as possible ,either being negative or positive this will give me focus on strengths and weakness and work towards a evidence based practice thus improving future practice. By continuing to show honesty while being transparent ,with focusing upon a person-centred approach. While, speaking to one woman with an hearing impairment , I allocated extra time for her to gain a full understanding and respond, I spoke clearly and concise with avoiding any jargon. In addition I produced a self made pack containing a simply guided leaflet, some humorous cartoon scenarios, and a tea towel with advice on how to get up from a fall. active listening skills helped me in retaining attention while they spoke, allowing time for individuals to express their personal views with allowing them to retain their own autonomy .I even expressed some prior learned signing of which made me feel extremely proud of showing back to the woman who had taught me. A hearing impairment is problematic during any kind of communication, even more so within group work which can cause many dilemmas, Conflicts with feelings of isolation and being mis interpretated .Consequently causing adverse effects such as disempowerment or discrimination . My personal experience of suffering an hearing impairment makes a positive note enabling me to relate and emphasis more in interpret ating their personal experiences. In turn, this is similar to the knowledge and skills gained from evidence based practice. Non-verbal communication plays a vital role within communication for the death and hard of hearing Caris-Verhallen et al (1999, p.809) states that the non-verbal communication becomes important when communicating with the elderly people who develop a hearing problem. I was aware of this and therefore ensured I made my face visible at all times ,to enable lip reading, kept my body language with an open posture , showing constant eye contact which helped me to make an interpretation upon their understanding and provided encouragement for participatation. Body gesturers and facial expressions are referred as a non-verbal communication (Funnell et al, 2005, p.443 I Levi (2007) suggests that cohesiveness affects a group’s social interactions, and this can affect performance and decision-making. He further suggests that low levels of group cohesion limit the team’s ability to work together. Cohesiveness is defined by (Kinicki & Kreitner, 2004,). "Cohesiveness is a process whereby a sense of awareness emerges to transcend individual differences and motives" In addition they define group work and Team building as a catch-all term for a whole host of techniques aimed at improving the internal functioning of work groups" (Kinicki & Kreitner, 2004,). Furthermore (Neil, J., 2005).states team building is an ongoing process that helps a group evolve into a cohesive unit, designed to improve productivity,   and help the team become more effective (Neil, J., 2005). In reflection upon the group work I feel it was an invaluable learning experience by building on my personal development, gaining confidence and practicing leadership skills. More so i learned that I did have the ability to re shape a group independently in successfully avoiding conflicts and breakdowns, with maintaining a focus upon the set purpose. In addition I learned and practiced group dynamics and processes with incorporating equality in ethics and values I achieved this in adapting myself appropriately in dealing with a diverse range of service users, while having an awareness to my own values and influences within the group. Group processes enabled me to judge the groups abilities in making decisions or problem solving, asking them to constantly reflect back with examples from personal experiences, This then assisted in enabling them to make an informed choice with empowering them to recognise and adopt change. Furthermore, I learned how to compose my non-verbal communication skills appropriately to maintain focus of four diverse service users