Identify and discuss the most challenging issue faced by your Skills Lab group

Reflective Essay
Task
Identify and discuss the most challenging issue faced by your Skills Lab group in working on your task (during your on- campus classes or the Residential School). Identify how the group responded to this issue and what other strategies might have been suitable to contribute constructively toward addressing it. Identify what role/s you took in the group’s response to the issue. Analyse this and discuss what you could have done differently to contribute more constructively to group processes. Connect your discussion, throughout, to the group work theory and practice material you have explored during this part of the subject.
Rationale
This Assessment task is aligned to the following student learning objectives:
• Demonstrate their understanding of group work theory
• Demonstrate consistent critical reflection on their own group work practice by incorporating new knowledge and skills into practice
• Demonstrate an ability to solve problems and deal with difficult issues in group process
• Demonstrate an ability to develop and implement an appropriate plan for conflict resolution relevant to the human services context

The most challenging issue was we got stuck with the topic, working as group we couldn’t move forward. Did not know how to approach the topic. The student we all got together and starting storming , idea of how to approach the situation.

Group work with Student during Residential school

Day 1

The class was divided in 2 groups. In my group we had 7 student we had 4 days to get to know each student and work on the project Addressing Stigma and social exclusion group work ex offender

Introduction and forming a group. Each student introduced to the group, name, where they were from, what do they like and dislike etc. getting to know each other as we did not the group. Each person had to share 3 things about what they like or dislike.

We read the article, and try to address the issue in relation to ex offender
We talked about organisation of how to address the issue in relation to the article Tracey McMahon.
What resources to use, organisation, Allies, charity organisation legal aid, politician
We went through the stages of the group which are : forming, storming Norming. Performing
We spend 2 hour in discussing the topic , we were stuck, did not understand of how to approach the topic.

We choose the ex offender topic as more student were interested in doing the ex offender
getting to know each student
Developing a trusting relationship
We had 2 leader each day, each student had the opportunity to lead the group.

We talks about organisation to be involve in forming the group for ex offender
We decide to use the narrative approach, strength based approach ( Please check what narrative approach and strength approach is
Communication. Verbal non verbal, empathy, listening to each student input
We discuss of rules and conflicts for example. Applied the I statement during discussion storming getting ideas from student
Learning about the process of group work /text book
We talked about house crisis. unemployment
Short term prison contribute to homelessness
Support housing helping
Agencies – private sectors- asking large deposit
Rental difficult for personal coming out from jail
Establishing a support group – stigma.

At the end of the 2 hours each student had a reflection sheet which asked question like:
What stood out for you in this skill lab exercise: The group was very confused not knowing where we were heading as a group- unsure of what we were doing= very confused.

Emotional impact?
Anxiety
Stress
Insecurity
Why do you think you had this emotion response?
Group wee not sure of what each member’s role were
Not moving forward- we got stuck on the first day.

ASSUMPTION: GROUP WORK IS NOT EASY , SPECIALLY WHEN STUDENT DID NOT MOVE FORWARD, FIRST DAY WE WERE GETTING IDEA OF HOW TO APPROACH THE PROBLEM WITH EX OFFENDER.

DAY 2

A STUDENT FROM THE OTHER GROUP ASKED ME IF WE CAN CHANGE GROUPS AS SHE DID NOT FEEL CONFIDENT IN HER GROUP, SHE HAD SOME PERSONAL ISSUE WITH A STUDENT AND SHE FELT UNSAFE. I FELT axious, and I did not want to hurt her feeling, I was confortable with my group and did not want to change. I talked to the group and explain my situation. The group was happy to get a new member in the group. We spoke with the teacher and he agreed for the student to joing us. The new member felt happy and the rest of the group welcomed her.

In the second day we introduced ourselves to the new member and we mentioned 3 positive things about ourselves. The new member felt safe in the new group, and I was happy to be able fix the problem without disruption.

Day 3
Went to the library to get information about ex prisoner then we put the information on a power point ready for group presentation for Friday.

1 The name of the group: just us
2 explanation about narrative approach
we were a social action group
task focus group

3 Approach case management holistic approach

4 Outcome

Drop in center
Support group for clients
Employment path way for clients

4 who are we: social work student
Role play focus
Solution focus

5 student group

Forming we got stuck ice breaker introduce ourself and mention 3 positive things about ourselves

Storming new member

Day 4

We went to the library to do some reach to present the topic to the class. Each student found a piece of information and we put it on a power point presentation.

We decided we were stronger as a group.
We decided to use solution focus
And narrative approach.

As a group we decided to

1 Role play it went for 5 minutes.

. I was one of the family member seeking help for my brother. He was an ex prisoner and was facing mental issues, did not have a job- lost all his friend, felt isolated- and I was the only support- the play was for 5 minutes only.

Day 5 group presentation

Our group decided to do the task on “addressing social stigma and social exclusion through group work: Ex-offenders resource and support”. We started by reading the article provided, which gave us a a first person account of the problems facing advocate and researcher Tracey McMahon on her release from prison in the U.K. (British Journal of Community Justice 2013 Sheffield Hallam University). Looking at the equivalent literature in the Australian context, we were struck by the crisis we currently face in rates of Indigenous incarceration, and found this quote from David Leha, who runs anger management and healing training through Gamarada in Redfern, Sydney “For many years now, from a background of anger, prison, violence and despair, I have learnt to open my mind and to take in things which can help me with my own healing and growth” (Aboriginal & Islander Health Worker Journal, July/August 2008, vol 32 – number 4).

This was a little play before showing a power point presentation

Role play – so I’m Brad, I work at the local rehab, and yeah I was getting frustrated that we were getting people coming in here from prison, doing the hard yards on the program here – we run a 10 month residential program for alcohol and other drugs, – they’d be digging deep emotionally, sorting themselves out in here, and then once they got out into the community we’d be losing them, they just weren’t getting the support. So I called my make Dave from Probation and parole –
Intro Dave – probation and parole
-and then we put out a flyer and Jennifer turned up

1 Role play it went for 5 minutes.

Intro Jennifer – family member

Tuckman’s stages of group development
Forming[edit]
In the first stage of team building, the forming of the team takes place. The individual’s behavior is driven by a desire to be accepted by the others, and avoid controversy or conflict. Serious issues and feelings are avoided, and people focus on being busy with routines, such as team organization, who does what, when to meet each other, etc. Individuals are also gathering information and impressions – about each other, and about the scope of the task and how to approach it. This is a comfortable stage to be in, but the avoidance of conflict means that not much actually gets done. The team meets and learns about the opportunities and challenges, and then agrees on goals and begins to tackle the tasks. Team members tend to behave quite independently. They may be motivated but are usually relatively uninformed of the issues and objectives of the team. Team members are usually on their best behavior but very focused on themselves. Mature team members begin to model appropriate behavior even at this early phase.
The forming stage of any team is important because the members of the team get to know one another, exchange some personal information, and make new friends. This is also a good opportunity to see how each member of the team works as an individual and how they respond to pressure.
Storming[edit]
In the storming stage, enough initial trust has been developed between team members that they start to feel comfortable expressing discontent and challenging others’ opinions. This stage is necessary to the growth of the team. It can be contentious, unpleasant and even painful to members of the team who are averse to conflict. Tolerance of each team member and their differences should be emphasized; without tolerance and patience the team will fail. This phase can become destructive to the team and will lower motivation if allowed to get out of control. Some teams will never develop past this stage; however, disagreements within the team can make members stronger, more versatile, and able to work more effectively as a team.
The Storming phase can become destructive to the team and will lower motivation if allowed to get out of control. Some teams will never develop past this stage. Supervisors of the team during this phase may be more accessible, but tend to remain directive in their guidance of decision-making and professional behavior. The team members will therefore resolve their differences and members will be able to participate with one another more comfortably. The ideal is that they will not feel that they are being judged, and will therefore share their opinions and views. Normally tension, struggle and sometimes arguments occur. This stage can also be upsetting.
Norming[edit]
The team manages to have one goal and come to a mutual plan for the project at this stage. Some may have to give up their own ideas and agree with others to make the team function. In this stage, all team members take the responsibility and have the ambition to work for the success of the team’s goals. The danger here is that members may be so focused on preventing conflict that they are reluctant to share controversial ideas.
Performing[edit]
It is possible for some teams to reach the performing stage. These high-performing teams can function as a unit as they find ways to get the job done smoothly and effectively without inappropriate conflict or the need for external supervision. By this time, they are motivated and knowledgeable. The team members are now competent, autonomous and able to handle the decision-making process without supervision. Dissent is expected and allowed as long as it is channeled through means acceptable to the team.
Supervisors of the team during this phase are almost always participating. The team will make most of the necessary decisions. Even the most high-performing teams will revert to earlier stages in certain circumstances. Many long-standing teams go through these cycles many times as they react to changing circumstances. For example, a change in leadership may cause the team to revert to storming as the new people challenge the existing norms and dynamics of the team.

Please check Tuckman theory in group work and apply to the reflective essay.

This work is based on student work shoo at the residential school. as we had to practise working /forming groups base on the article of how to assist people in the community.

It was challenging as we were stuck on the work we did not move forward, fist day, we brain storm getting ideas, of how to conduct the group process.

All student work together but we were stuck for 2 hours and the next day we continue brain storming ideas and resoruces / finding information in the library..

the group work well
please mention about communication skill check , non verbal communication. solution focus therapy, narrative approach, group work theory and applied it on the reflective essay.
what solution focus is: put it in your own word;;

Solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) is goal oriented, targeting the desired outcome of therapy as a solution rather than focusing on the symptoms or issues that brought someone to therapy. This technique emphasizes present and future circumstances and desires over past experiences. The therapist encourages the client to imagine the future that he or she wants and then the therapist and client collaborate on a series of steps to achieve that goal. This form of therapy involves developing a vision of one’s future, and then determining what skills, resources, and abilities a person already possesses that can be enhanced in order to attain the desired outcome. SFBT was developed by Steve de Shazer, Insoo Kim Berg, and their tea.

Check theory of group work by Tuckman etc..
check strength base approach

check the text book reading is essential