5CF006 Professional Studies: Working with Groups and Individuals

This presentation analyzes group work theories, models, and processes, focusing on the dynamics within a professional setting. It explores Tuckman's theory, the punctuated equilibrium model, and balance theory to understand group formation and development. The analysis critically examines communication skills, ethical considerations, and power issues, highlighting their impact on group interactions. The presentation also reflects on the personal and professional skills required when engaging in activities individually or in a group, emphasizing the importance of problem-solving, decision-making, time management, stress management, and listening skills in a healthcare context. The case study involves a patient with communication difficulties, and the presentation discusses the challenges and potential solutions within the healthcare environment. The presentation concludes with the significance of effective communication and ethical practices for providing quality care.

Working with Groups and Individuals

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
1. DEMONSTRATE AN UNDERSTANDING OF GROUP WORK THEORY, MODELS AND
PROCESS........................................................................................................................................1
2. ANALYSIS OF COMMUNICATION SKILLS, ETHICAL AND POWER ISSUE.................3
3. PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL SKILLS REQUIRED WHEN ENGAGING IN
ACTIVITIES INDIVIDUALLY OR IN GROUP...........................................................................4
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................5

INTRODUCTION
Group are very important for achieving the targets and desired goals easily. Every
individual possess different set of skills which others may not possess. When a group is formed
then individuals with different set of skills and knowledge work together to achieve common
goals (Elwyn, Greenhalgh and MacFarlane, 2001). Present report would help in identifying
different ways through which group can be formed. Further, it covers the critical analysis of
appropriate communication skills, ethical and power issues which are involved in anti-oppressive
group work. Lastly, it also includes personal and professional skills which are required for
engaging activities within group.
1. DEMONSTRATE AN UNDERSTANDING OF GROUP WORK
THEORY, MODELS AND PROCESS
There are many theories which are involved in group working. These theories are very
helpful in bringing together effective individuals who would be able to work effectively in
achieving the desired goals and objectives. Following are the three theories on group working:
Tuckman's theory: This theory was given by Bruce Tuckman in the year 1965. It theory is the
path through which group could be formed and can further work effectively. There are five
stages involved which are forming, storming, norming, performing and adjourning.
Forming: This is the first stage, in this the team members will be full of positivity and
anxiousness as they do not know fully about their other members in the team. In this stage,
leader of the team plays vital role in clarifying team member’s roles and responsibilities. This
stage goes for a bit longer, as members make efforts to know other member in the group
(Kumanyika and et.al., 2002).
Storming: It is a stage in which conflicts arises. Member in the group try to work in their own
working style. Further, they also challenge their authority as they are clear what their roles are.
There may be members who would start asking questions regarding the worth of goals which has
to be achieved. Member of the team who take on the tasks alone may face stress (Brown and
McIlroy, 2011).
Norming: In this stage, member of the group start to understand the differences and take help
form each other. Members get to have more interactions and get to know the other members
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more closely (Thomas, 2003). They start to trust their authority and work for the betterment and
focused on achieving the goals and objectives for which they have formed the group.
Performing: According to this stage, the team members work hard to achieve the goals. By this
stage, leader of the team gets to know about skills and capabilities of their team members and
accordingly they delegate work. They are focused and concerned with enhancing their member’s
capabilities (Greenhalgh, 2008).
In accordance with the case, the main aim of forming this group was to understand
Richard so that better care could be provided. When team member get to know Richard more
closely, then would able to provide proper care individually. At that point of time there would be
no need of forming group in case of Richard.
Punctuated equilibrium model: This model was given by Stephen Jay Gould and Niles Eldredge
in the year 1972. According to this model, groups are formed for a short period of time. More
specifically these types of groups are formed in order to achieve specific goals. In this model
following are the stages involved in formation of groups:
First meeting: In this stage, all the employees should be called upon a meeting in which the
formation of group should be conveyed (Rogers and et.al., 2002). Among those employees,
capable and energetic employees should be selected in forming group.
Performance: The entire member should be conveyed regarding the goals and objectives which
have to be achieved. All the responsibilities which have to be played should be conveyed
properly to the member of the team. Team leader should be selected who would help the
members to perform their roles (Spilsbury and Meyer, 2005).
Time: Time should be decided in which they would achieve the desired goals.
Transition: In this stage, member would get to know the skills which are required for the
betterment and achievement of the goals. In addition to this, they would also get to know
whether they would be capable enough to achieve the goals (Kirk and McManus, 2002).
In accordance with the case, the main aim of formation of group is to understand Richard
and provide him with proper care. In this context, it is very important to know the member would
be capable enough to achieve the goal. Selected employees should perform their role properly
and focus on achieving the desired goal.
Balance Theory: This theory was given be Theodore Newcomb. According to this theory, group
is formed by understanding the similar attitude for common goal. It is very important for
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management to identify employees who have same thinking regarding any kind of objectives
which has to be achieved (Kasiske and et.al., 2004). In this model, when two or more individuals
have same attitude towards achieving the goal, then group can be formed.
In accordance with the case, with Anna if some other employee think the same way as Anna
does, then they can form a group and provide proper care to Richard.
2. ANALYSIS OF COMMUNICATION SKILLS, ETHICAL AND POWER
ISSUE
Communication: According to the case given, it was found that Richard who cannot speak or
listen was not able to convey his requirements properly. I understood the issue and for providing
proper care to Richard, I thought of conveying this issue to all my superiors and colleagues so
that Richard could be helped. In my context, I tried to convey the issue so that proper steps could
be taken. With regard with communication, I communicated with everyone so that they
understand the issue. I want the management to get a person who knows sign language so that
communication with Richard could be effectively done. But no one supported me, instead they
thought that I was doing it just get higher post.
Ethical: It is the responsibility of health and care providers to understand their patients and
accordingly they should provide them proper treatment so that they could overcome their illness
easily (Payne, 2014). Similarly, in this case, management should have done same to know the
issues faced by Richard and should have hired a person who could understand sign language. In
this way, they would be able to provide proper care and support. Richard got upset when no one
was able to understand what he is trying to explain.
Power issue: In this issue, Anita was the senior support worker who did not supported ideas or
suggestions given by anyone. Being a senior worker, it is the responsibility of Anita to take the
suggestions or ideas given by the junior employees. This would be helpful in motivating and
encouraging employees and it would also improve their performance level. Seniors should use
their power for the betterment and for the support of their employees and not for demotivating
them (Spilsbury and Meyer, 2005).
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3. PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL SKILLS REQUIRED WHEN
ENGAGING IN ACTIVITIES INDIVIDUALLY OR IN GROUP
In personal and professional aspect, skills are very important for so as to complete the
given task effectively. Following are the skill which I should possess:
Problem solving: As working at mental health hospital, I faced different types of issue for which
I have to take instantly and accordingly I need to take appropriate step with the help of which I
would be able to solve problems easily. There many issues like conflicts among patients, which
has to be solved instantly (Payne, 2014). Decision making: It is very important for me to take appropriate decisions so that I would
be able to save my time and could focus on other areas as well (Greenhalgh, 2008). Time management: There are many cases in which I have to take care of many patients at
a time. In such cases it is very important to attend all the patients and to also to get spare
time in which I perform my personal work. In this context, it is very important to manage
time properly and effectively. Managing stress: In this profession it is very important to manage stress. It is very
difficult to handle patients with mental issues. As a result it is very important in this
profession to manage stress.
 Listening skills: It is very important to listen to patients so that proper treatment could be
provided them. It requires focus and attention so that appropriate step or proper response
could be given (Brown and McIlroy, 2011).
CONCLUSION
From this report, it can be stated that if formation of groups there are many models given by
different people. Among the three theories of group formation, the best one in this case could be
used is Punctuated equilibrium model as it has a specific time in which patient could be taken
care and this would be helpful in achieving the desired goals easily. Further, seniors should use
their power so as to provide motivate their employee and not to demotivate them. Moreover,
listening skills and stress management is very important, working as a care provider at mental
health hospital.
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