TAP Certificate in Facilitation Skills

This course provides delegates with the skills to facilitate events such as focus groups, workshops, action learning sets, team meetings, briefings, business improvement meetings etc. Delegates will learn how to open and close an event using subtle language patterns, which will help to build rapport with a group and to influence a positive outcome.

They will learn a variety of facilitation methods and processes that can be used as appropriate to the outcome required. Explore resistance to change and a range of challenging behaviours; the course focuses on strategies to manage these behaviours within the group or on a one-to-one basis. They will find out how Action Learning Sets work in practice and will have the opportunity to participate as a member of a set.

What's included in the course?

• Pre-course work
• Evening work
• Assessment

Who is it for?

Suitable for anyone who needs to facilitate the gathering of opinions, making a decision, developing a solution, gauging reactions to a proposition, securing a consensus, debating a complex matter or developing ideas.

What the delegates will learn

• Learn how to plan and facilitate an event, structured with a clear beginning, middle and end
• Learn skills to create an enjoyable and effective event that influences a positive outcome
• Experience and select a variety of methods and processes to reach the required outcome
• Understand reasons that drive challenging behaviour and learn strategies to adjust behaviour
• Gain a qualification in facilitation to professionalise your role

Next steps

• Training Delivery Part A
• Training Delivery Part B
• Online Facilitation Skills

Delegates facilitate an event, including defined processes, appropriate methods, relevant skills and three language patterns to reach the required outcome.

There are no pre-requisites for this course.

Session 1: Understanding the role of a facilitator
In this session, we consider:

• Defining the term facilitation and understanding it in your own context
• Recognising the opportunities when the role of a facilitator would be valuable
• Applying the skills of a facilitator

Session 2: Managing groups
In this session, we consider:

• The initial contact
• Embedding commands appropriately
• Recognising and overcoming concerns
• Applying modes of intervention appropriately to encourage learners to take responsibility for their learning
• Using a variety of methods to generate discussion and filter responses
• Using a range of techniques to handle learners' questions

Session 3: Creating a positive climate
In this session, we consider:

• Recognising the importance of building rapport and the levels to which it can be done
• Identifying the methods of building rapport with individuals and a group
• Creating a climate that is positive, open and that encourages information sharing
• Recognising the importance of opening and closing events professionally
• Planning and applying the opening and closing structures
• Applying inclusive language appropriately
• Using influencing styles appropriately
• Encouraging and valuing contributions from all learners
• Utilising technology appropriately to enhance the event
• Monitoring group dynamics and making appropriate interventions

Session 4: Managing challenging behaviours
In this session, we consider:

• Recognising why it is important to manage challenging behaviour
• Recognising verbal and non verbal indicators of different types of challenging behaviour
• Recognising underpinning reasons for challenging behaviour
• Identifying a range of general strategies that could be applied to different situations
• Managing disruptive influences promptly and effectively by employing appropriate strategies in a group setting
• Recognising when the behaviour has been modified

Session 5: Employing behavioural realignment skills
In this session, we consider:

• Identifying when it is appropriate to manage behaviour away from the group
• Planning to apply the 6-step behaviour realignment process
• Implementing the 6-step behaviour realignment process in an environment of trust with open and positive communication
• Recognising when it is appropriate to follow up with a more direct approach
• Recognising when the behaviour has been modified

Session 6: Presentation of self
In this session, we consider:

• Using positive body language to create a friendly and relaxed environment
• Injecting enthusiasm through the use of positive language and voice modulation