ECCAY RESOURCES

The ECCAY resources can help professionals to use in practice the solution focused knowledge they have just acquired.

Exercise nr. 14

CO-CONSTRUCTION OF GROUP WORK RULES

Minimum number of participants	Average time length	Individual setting	Group setting	Special Equipment	Unit	Online	Challenges/ competition
3 or more	1h	no	yes	Simple one	1-2-3-4	no	no

This exercise is to be carried out when a group is being constituted to work together for a more or less determined period of time. Very often the rules of functioning are pre-established by the organizations that receive young people. Or this young people may have this preconceived idea and think they have to comply. One of the most common reasons for this is that they are not familiar with the organization in which they are enrolled. So, asking participants to define from the outset what they expect from the group's functioning will put them in an active position of cooperation and experience their empowerment.

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Aim / Benefits

Co-constructing the group's operating rules to create an alliance between the peers and the professional, in order to put them in a collaborative work dynamic from the outset, to create a secure work environment by showing attention to their needs, and to get them to experiment with their agency.

UNIT(s) related

This exercise is related to UNITS 1-2-3-4

Why:

UNIT 1: This Unit focuses on the foundations of the Solution Focus Approach (SFA) which emphasizes the helping relationship as a process where professionals and youth have active roles in building solutions toward a desired future. This exercise encourages trust and the ability of participants to develop their own group rules to create a safe and productive work environment as they desire
UNIT 2: This Unit focuses on the specific issues of SFA, including questions that help one project into a realistic future. The professional does not impose his/her rules but will help the participants to create their ones.
UNIT 3: This Unit is about how to build conducive relationships that provide the young people at risk of social exclusion a useful framework for safely developing their abilities. This unit focuses on the helping relationship as a system of mutual influence within the FS approach mindset.
UNIT 4: This exercise concerns a group of young people who are going to work together. It can lead the group to realize the benefit of working together if the conditions are met, the role that each one can play, and realize the empowerment of a group.

How to do the exercise

Step 1 / Preparation:
During this first meeting (which may have been preceded by an individual interview), present the objectives of the group work, ask each person to introduce him/herself as he/she wishes, inviting him/her to state the reason for his/her participation in the group.

Step 2

Present the objectives of this first stage of work: co-construction of the group's own rules of operation, the duration, the expectations of the group work.

Step 3

(10 minutes ca)
Provide each member with post-its.
Invite everyone to answer 3 questions (one post-it for each question).

What do you need to feel comfortable in this group?
How will you see if the group is working well?
If you think you did well to come, can you tell us why?

Step 4

Note on a paper-board all the answers for each question. Then you say all the answers aloud to emphasize what is expected of the group.

Final step / Conclusion:

For each answer, ask if all participants share this suggestion and encourage them to develop their ideas if some express disagreement. Similarities and differences should be valued. Suggest that they revisit the issue at a later session if they wish, as new ideas may arise in the development of the group work.

Debrief

Review the exercise and encourage everyone to express themselves on the question:
How does this exercise seem useful for starting a group work?

Specific materials

It needs only paper sheets, pens, a blackboard or a paper-board.

Tips and Tricks

If the group has difficulty expressing itself and answering questions, prepare other proposals for rules in the form of questions: Exp: You did not mention the importance of respecting schedules, is this an oversight or does it not seem essential to you? (Other examples: attendance, not divulging what is said in group...).

On-line version

It’s suggested this first group meeting be held face-to-face. Our target groups will feel more comfortable talking to people they don't know, and creating interpersonal relationships.

Bibliography - Sitography

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