Types of group

Weekly Group
A group meeting after school or on a Saturday for about two hours, with a fixed membership and for a set number of weeks. See Structure of a session for our suggested format.

Monthly Group
The session format should be similar to that for weekly groups, though the session will be longer. You will need to build in times for quieter activities and for relaxation. The issues to be covered during the course of the group will be basically the same.

See the Sibshop model developed by the US Sibling Support Project www.siblingsupport.org/sibshops

One off, one day groups
One off, one day groups can be extremely beneficial to siblings. This may be their only chance to have their individual needs acknowledged by adults separate from their family. Remember to be clear with siblings and their families from the beginning that this is a 'one off' group.

Be very clear about the groups aims as these should be the basis of the activities you plan. Achievable aims could be:

Meet other siblings
Offer information about conditions
Talk about family life
Have fun

Allow time for a lunch break and snack breaks mid morning and afternoon

Name games and fun games are essential. Discussion activities that could be useful include Agony Aunt letters and the sound off sheets as they provide an introduction to discussing resolutions to difficult times.

Child friendly information could have been prepared in advance based on the needs identified from the referral or visit to the family

Feedback – this is essential and may be the basis of attaining further funding.

Further funding - Why not organize a craft activity with the purpose of identifying sibling needs and that you could use to approach potential funders?

Workshops
A one-off event with a specific theme. This would be best for siblings who have already attended other sibling events. It could be a specific reunion for one group, or for members of several previous groups. Some ideas for themes are:

First aid
Makaton and sign language
Anti-bullying
Dealing with feelings

Reunions
Once a group has finished it is important that there is some chance for continued contact. The aim should be for the siblings to renew old friendships, as well as widening their circle of friends in the sibling network and supporting them with ongoing development of coping strategies. It will also enable workers to identify any outstanding needs which should be referred on to other agencies.

The form this will take will be dictated by your situation.The reunions could take a variety of formats:

Something similar to a standard group session; this is familiar, reassuring and easy for getting useful discussions going

A party or social event
A workshop
An outing

Social events
Whilst most of the sessions for a group need to be structured to promote discussion of situations and feelings, there is a place for some sessions that are purely social. These sessions should have two aims:

To promote friendships between siblings, and to develop a sense of identity within the group

To enable the siblings to experience activities that they might be less free to do with their families.

Careful thought needs to be given to the children you will be taking, and the staff ratios you will need. Be sure to do a Risk Assessment – venues that are used to having school groups visiting may well have their own assessment to help you. Get a specific consent form signed for the outing (or specify it on the consent for the group if it is already planned). Take a First Aid Kit with you.

For higher risk activities, ensure that the centre you are using has adequate insurance, and that the instructors are properly qualified.

Asking parents to help with transport may be easiest for a local outing, but there is extra excitement from going all together in a minibus or small coach.

Regular social groups
Social activities are important, and help to meet some of the Siblings' needs. However it is very important that they also have the opportunity to discuss the issues and feelings around their situations.