The role of a Group worker (GW)



We asked some Group workers already in the role to explain a little about what they do or enjoy about their role.

How busy my days are will depend if I’m involved in a programme at that time. If I’m in a group I will deliver that session in the morning then do write ups and prepare for the next day’s session in the afternoon. In between this I am normally completing interviews and assessing men for future groups."

Each site is different and run different programmes so the views of these Group Workers will vary between Offending Behaviour Programme teams.



I deliver about 6 TSP groups a year and for each group I work with 2 other Group Workers, there are always 2 of us in a group room. In each group we usually start with 10 men and work with them for on average 8 weeks for TSP."





I enjoy the feedback and continuous development. The role takes a strengths based and supportive approach when working with residents. It feels rewarding when residents complete the programme. I think it is important to manage expectations but mostly group members speak of having a positive experience when the programme ends."









Each Group Worker has a timetable for the year in my team so we know when the groups we will be facilitating in start and finish. Each programme is different lengths so it means I get to work with different Group Workers throughout the year which is great."







I see my role as teaching life skills to men who need them in the aim of reducing their reoffending and regrettable decisions. The thing I enjoy most about the job is getting a group of guys together who don’t know each other and seeing the relationship form between them and how they interact and support each other."









This is one of the best roles I have had, It has been fantastic to work with individuals collaboratively, around areas that have significantly affected them and others. To have material that can practically and emotionally support them in navigating the positive steps to improve is so rewarding. I feel proud to be a part of the solution."



















All new Group Workers will need to complete a number of assessed training courses before they can facilitate Offending Behaviour Programmes in a prison. They will be supported with preparing for these in their first few weeks/months of beginning the role. Training courses will be booked once in role and in some cases they may need to wait 6 - 8 weeks depending on availability of training events. Whilst waiting for training they will be given the opportunity to complete an induction and take part in a variety of assessments. Training may require travelling to a training venue; accommodation and travel for training will be funded by HMPPS.

Once trained, a Group Worker will be involved in the assessment and facilitation of various OBPs, on both a group and on a 1:1 basis (delivering a programme to 1 individual), with prisoners with a variety of offence types.

Offending Behaviour Programmes are accredited psychologically informed interventions. Some Group Workers work alongside Psychology colleagues, but this is not the case for all OBPs and/or prisons.

What is facilitating?



Facilitating is very different to teaching or presenting. A Group Worker is a person who helps a group of people to work together better, understand their common objectives, and plan how to achieve these objectives. It will be important to bear this information in mind when delivering your facilitation exercise at your interview.



Helpful Links



This publication explains a bit about HMPPS’s offending behaviour programmes and covers a variety of different offending behaviour programmes and interventions currently available for offenders in England and Wales. It includes a criterion of accreditation, and what The Correctional Services Advice & Accreditation Panel (CSAAP) is.

Offending behaviour programmes and interventions - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

This publication shows a variety of HMPPS activity in prisons and includes a section about offending behaviour programmes delivery. The tables show the volumes of accredited programmes started and completed in prisons, by programme type, each year. There is a new digest released annually.

HMPPS Annual Digest, April 2020 to March 2021 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)