Support Individuals to Develop and Run Support Groups

Learning outcomes

1 Understand the role of support groups

1.1 Explain the benefits of support groups to individuals

1.2 Explain how involvement in setting up and running a support group can affect the identity, self-esteem and self-image of individuals

1.3 Compare key points of theories about group dynamics

2 Be able to support individuals to assess the need for additional support groups

2.1 Work with individuals to identify the support a group could provide for them

2.2 Contribute to accessing sources of information about existing support groups

2.3 Work with individuals to evaluate existing support groups and identify gaps in provision

3 Be able to support individuals to develop their own support groups

3.1 Work with individuals to identify ways to develop their own support group where there is a gap in provision

3.2 Work with individuals to agree the nature and purpose of the support group

3.3 Establish with individuals the level and type of support they require to set up a group

3.4 Carry out own role as agreed to support the setting up of the group

4 Be able to support individuals to run support groups

4.1 Establish with group members the support they need to run the group

4.2 Support the group to operate safely

4.3 Support the group to resolve conflicts

5 Be able to support individuals to evaluate support groups

5.1 Support the group to monitor its activities and outcomes

5.2 Support the group to:

Agree processes and criteria for evaluating its activities and outcomes

Evaluate its activities and outcomes

5.3 Report on the effectiveness of the support group in line with agreed ways of working