The purpose of this short course is to provide an introduction to the theory and practice of person centred facilitation. Opportunites will be provided to practice facilitation strategies and action methods suitable for leading groups, delivering training and giving presentations. The course delivery will model facilitative teaching.

Course Content

1. Week 1 - Introductions & the development of the group. What is facilitation? - Rounds, Name Game, Expectations; Culture of the group; Individual and group purpose; Definitions.
2. Week 2 - Group Facilitation - Facilitation as a Leadership Style; The Elements of Facilitation; The Principles of Facilitation; Values, Beliefs & Behaviours of Facilitators.
3. Week 3 - The Role & Skills of the Facilitator - Facilitating a Group; Listening.
4. Week 4 - The Scope of Facilitation; The Facilitation of Self - The Art of Facilitation – When facilitating discussion.
5. Week 5 - Strategies for Facilitation; Facilitative Teaching - Continuums, Floor Maps, Opinion Maps.
6. Week 6 - Facilitation Practice; The Facilitation of Another - Intervening.
7. Week 7 - Further Facilitation Practice; Facilitator Competency - A Model of Facilitator Competencies.
8. Week 8 - Achieving Completion and Closure; Completion - A Possible Structure for a Facilitated Session.

Course Outcomes

Participants will be able to:

• Discuss the elements of person centred facilitation both theoretical and practical.
• Implement a range of person centred facilitation strategies.
• Apply action methods to working groups and the delivery of training.
• Structure sessions using facilitative teaching for training and presentations.
• Develop a toolkit of strategies for use within the role of facilitator.

Regular Reflective Practice

After each session spend some time (ten to fifteen minutes) reflecting on the ideas presented, the activities experienced and the interactions with others. Write brief notes (ten to fifteen sentences) to summarise your thoughts. While these notes are primarily for your benefit you may be asked to select one or two comments or ideas, to share within a small group exercise in class from time to time.