© British Association of Social Workers
Integrating Group Dynamics Training and the Education and Development of Social Work Students
Linda Hunt B.A., is Tutor in Social Work in the Department of Social Administration of the University of Manchester. She trained in psychiatric social work at Edinburgh University, and has held a variety of social work posts in Scotland and in England. She is particularly interested in the organization of social work agencies and in social group work
Kenneth Harrison B.Sc., M.Sc., is Lecturer in Organizational Psychology at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology. He has worked as a consultant in management for a number of years. His main interest is in realizing human potential in organizations through organizational development and group training
Michael Armstrong is an independent consultant and a specialist in the behaviour of people working in an organizational relationship. He began work as a career civil servant and left the civil service as a white-collar training specialist. He joined IBM (UK) Ltd. in management development work and then Shell Chemical (UK) Ltd. as Manager, Organization Development at Carrington, Manchester. Lately he has been consulting and training in industry, social services, local authorities, a Home Office community development project, and internationally. He is an executive member of the Group Relations Training Association, and concentrates on a socio-technical model of organization development. Address: The Hollies, 8 Harboro Road, Sale, M33 5AB
Summary
This paper explores experience of the development of a group dynamics workshop in a post-graduate course for student social workers. The background to the workshops is outlined with reference to students, course staff and consultant staff. A brief summary of different conceptual approaches to group dynamics training is offered in order to clarify terminology and methods. Important conclusions concerning the design and operation of the workshops are drawn and emphasis is placed on an analysis of the multiple role situation of student social workers, choosing appropriate learning designs, and making these explicit