Suitable for those involved in planning, preparing and delivering group work to young people, this guide contains case study examples and suggests questions and activities to assist learning whether in a school or another learning context.

This comprehensive handbook will be a major resource for all those involved in group work with children and adolescents. Bringing together the skills, practical experience and expertise of a wide range of contributors, it provides comprehensive analysis and practical guidance on all aspects of the subject under five broad headings: theoretical and practical issues, including structures and organisational aspects, conceptual frameworks and evaluation; developmental perspectives, including emotional development, empathy and prosocial development and the historical development of group psychotherapy; tools and techniques, including the use of play and games, art psychotherapy, relaxation, drama and interpretation; subjects and themes, including bereaved children, encopresis, victims and perpetrators of sexual abuse, young offenders and racial identity; and contexts and settings, including group work in schools, residential institutions, mental health services, youth services and therapeutic communities. The book will meet the needs of both beginners in the field, and those with experience.

This book examines key theoretical counselling perspectives and applies these specifically to work with young people. It establishes how to build counselling relationships in order to support young people and enable them to achieve positive outcomes and to manage their lives effectively. It also identifies the key counselling skills needed to engage in purposeful, helping conversations. There are sections on understanding adolescent development, exploring person-centred principles and understanding and using motivational interviewing - all of which help to blend academic theory with the realities of practice.

This book offers a challenge to traditional approaches to classroom teaching and pedagogy. The SPRinG (Social Pedagogic Research into Groupwork) project, part of a larger research programme on teaching and learning funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), was developed to enhance the learning potential of pupils working in classroom groups by actively involving teachers in a programme designed to raise levels of group work during typical classroom learning activities. Internationally, the SPRinG project is the largest evaluation of effective group working methods in comparison to traditional teaching, with findings that show raised levels of pupil achievement and a doubling of sustained, active engagement in learning. The opening chapters present arguments regarding the relationship of social interaction and children’s cognitive development and examine theories that explain why social interactional processes should be integrated into primary school pedagogic practices. Next, the book describes the conceptual and methodological basis for the SPRinG studies, especially its focus on the relational approach, the type of involvement of teachers and classroom planning. Further chapters present key results and describe the background and methods used to establish SPRinG-based effects on pupil progress in mathematics, literacy and science, including both macro and micro assessments; how the SPRinG approach affected pupil-pupil interactions and teacher-pupil interactions, as measured by systematic on-the-spot observations and analyses of videotapes of groups working on specially designed tasks work; and effects on pupil self-completed measures of motivation and attitudes to group work. The book also analyses reflections of teachers who have worked with SPRinG: moving from theory to practice as well as adding insights associated with implementing SPRinG principles in schools. Drawing upon developmental psychological, social psychological and classroom research, it develops a new and ambitious social pedagogic approach to classroom learning, with a stress on group work, which will be of interest to researchers, teachers and policy-makers. This book includes contributions from Andrew Tolmie and Ed Baines, who were also involved in the ScotSPRinG and SPRinG projects.

Promoting Effective Group Work in the Primary Classroom, 2nd ed. is designed to enhance teachers’ and teaching assistants’ confidence in engaging their children in effective group work, allowing for more active participation, more on-task focus and higher levels of achievement. This accessible second edition is packed full of valuable strategies for teachers and fun activities for children, offering guidance on how to create an inclusive and supportive classroom by developing the social, communicative and group working skills of all pupils. It has been thoroughly updated and includes new material on whole school approaches to group work, the risks and challenges involved, and how to involve Teaching Assistants and other support staff in undertaking inclusive and effective group work in classrooms. A tried-and-tested, step-by-step approach encourages both children and their teachers to develop supportive relationships that have been found to facilitate academic performance, positive social behaviour and motivation. Since the first edition the authors have found that this handbook can be used successfully in many different countries around the world. With ideas to help resolve problems that might arise and suggested training activities to support pupils, this text is a one-stop resource to ensure effective group work in the classroom. It is an essential guide for both trainee and practising teachers, as well as TAs and support staff, and a valuable basis for school action.

Outlining the unique psychosocial and development issues faced by young adults affected by cancer, this text draws on qualitative data from two pilot studies conducted in the United States to illustrate how the needs of this often-overlooked population can be effectively met via group therapy in clinical settings. Drawing on 25 years of experience as a licensed clinical social worker supporting pediatric and young adult cancer patients and their families, Kurker focuses on the role of the clinician in structuring support group sessions. Chapters draw on patient perspectives to demonstrate effective application of interventions to help adolescents work through trauma associated with a diagnosis of cancer, treatment, recovery and the impacts on their development. Outcomes from these studies also include strategies for selecting support group participants, structuring group activities and securing funding. Effective Group Therapies for Young Adults Affected by Cancer will be a valuable text for oncology social workers and clinicians involved in adolescent support services. In addition, researchers and postgraduate students with an interest in the fields of social work, psychology and adolescent development will find the book of interest.

This book explores a wide range of theoretical perspectives that guide the practice of community and youth work and related occupational fields. It provides a range of practical activities to encourage readers to explore their own theoretical position, while critically engaging with the contemporary theoretical context that is shaping the development of community and youth work practice. Students will find this book an invaluable tool in developing their understanding of theory, and it will help them to holistically and systematically apply their understanding of theory to their relevant practice situation.

The fourth edition of this highly readable book examines all of the essential skills required to be an effective leader of a variety of groups in a variety of settings. It explores the history of group therapy work, and the development of groups-- how they grow, how they change, and how various groups differ. It addresses the specifics of working with children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly. And, it discusses ten prominent theoretical perspectives from which groups can be approached, covering how each theory evolved, how it is practiced, and the results it most commonly achieves. Includes coverage of working with gay/lesbian/bisexual clients in groups and includes expanded coverage of the multicultural aspects of group work and understanding the influence of culture, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation and other factors on how groups function and what they can accomplish. For professionals in the field of group counseling.

Grouped by type in 23 chapters, with as many as 30 models per section, these letters deal with real-life situations nearly everyone faces sooner or later. Just change a few words to add your own original touch, and any one of these letters is ready to mail.