Group Facilitation Methods

This two day course introduces two essential facilitation methods – the focused conversation and the consensus workshop. The focused conversation is a way of structuring discussion to enable a group to gain a clear, shared understanding of a topic and move from information and ideas to decision. The consensus workshop weaves together ideas, opinions and priorities, clarifies thinking, generates insights and discerns the consensus of a group. You will experience each of the methods as a participant and have an opportunity to practice them as a facilitator.

It is suitable for people who want to be able to facilitate groups more confidently and effectively, including team leaders and managers within organisations, those working with partners and external stakeholders, youth and community workers and independent facilitators.

The course is accompanied by a comprehensive manual and is delivered under license from ICA:UK.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this two-day workshop, you will…

• Be able to identify when and how to use the Focused Conversation and Consensus Workshop methods
• Have gained confidence in the use of these methods
• Have recognised and explored elements of participation, creativity, teamwork and action
• Have built links with others to promote future collaboration and support in the use of the methods

What people said about this course

“An excellent course – intense and focused”

“Enjoyable, inspiring and of real, practical benefit”

“A democratic and humanising set of tools”

“The methods are entirely congruent with a community development approach”

“Tools to resolve conflict: team-building and consensus among a group with diverse views.”