ABSTRACT
Facilitation means ‘the work involved in ensuring that the right structures and processes exist for helping the group to meet its agreed objectives and in helping the group members to identify and overcome problems communicating with one another in managing emotion’ (Elwyn, Greenhalgh and MacFarlen, 2001). The term facilitator therefore provides a more accurate description than teacher or tutor for the appropriate leadership of a small group. Facilitators, without training, tend to adopt one of three styles:
• In the autonomous style the facilitator may allow the group to make its own decisions, right or wrong. This may eventually be the ideal learning situation but is also fraught with difficulties especially with young groups who have not yet formed as a functioning effective unit. The facilitator must be confident in the abilities of the group.
