What are Role Techniques?
Home Office research argues that programmes which ‘...match staff and offenders’ learning styles and engage the active participation of offenders...” are more likely to be effective (Chapman & Hough 1997). Experiential techniques such as role-play and role reversal offer unique opportunities to offenders for personally relevant and challenging learning. These methods are strongly supported by ‘what works’ in altering offending behaviour.
However, since the techniques can feel very threatening or anxiety provoking if not used effectively, staff must feel confident with the procedures in order to gain maximum benefit and not provoke a counter-productive reaction which is demotivating for both workers and offenders.
What is training in the Effective Use of Role Techniques?
ignition training in Effective Use of Role Techniques was developed specifically in response to criminal justice staff expressing dissatisfaction with their experience of attempting to use these techniques within accredited programmes. The training focuses on:
the generic skills and concepts necessary for the safe and effective use of such techniques
the delivery of specific exercises drawn from accredited programmes where staff may have experienced difficulty or wish to improve their effectiveness
The aim is to retain programme integrity while boosting the responsivity that is also linked to positive programme outcomes The training will develop facilitator confidence with the methods which is all-important in gaining compliance from the offender group. Areas covered include
Day 1
Use of Role plays for pro-social skills development
Facilitating the exercise - Establishing a baseline of behaviour
- Structuring the learning experience
- Coaching techniques for progressive development of skills
Use of Role Plays for developing empathy or understanding
Facilitating the exercise - Safety & boundaries
- Safe use of role reversal techniques
- De-roleing procedures
Day 2
Use of Role Reversal
Role theory - concepts of the technique
Facilitating the exercise - establishing clear requirements
- establishing & keeping protagonists in role
- effective use of the Auxiliary role
- spotting when to role reverse
- de-roling & process the experience
Skills Practice & Consolidation
The training will require participants to be on their feet: experiential learning demands that trainees have a chance to integrate their learning, and attempt to apply it. Space is provided to explore any difficulties or queries people may have experienced while actually attempting to run effective role-plays, and allow for re-training or corrective feedback to achieve optimum understanding and performance.
This procedure models the most effective process of learning for the offender groups when they are undertaking role based work. The training provides a solid foundation for any staff wishing to undertake or having to deliver role based work for the development of empathy in offenders or for their training in pro-social behaviour.
Get Up, Stand Up! forms a foundation course for ignition training in Advanced Action Methods for Group Work.
References
Chapman, T. & Hough, M (1997) Evidence Based Practice. London: Home Office Publications Unit.
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