Every team matters: The contribution educational psychology can make to effective teamwork

Abstract

Teamwork has never been more topical. This is evident not only in the practice of educational psychologists but also in the dominant discourse surrounding government policy. Multi-agency collaboration lies at the heart ofEvery Child Matters. The underlying assumption is that multi-agency teamwork is the best way to work, ensuring the most complete and effective service to children and their families. While not disputing this, we feel that the complexities of teamwork are not sufficiently considered. This paper will address some of the central issues related to the psychology of teams from the experience of three educational psychologists. We consider the complexities of teamwork by drawing on psychodynamic, systemic and social constructionist thinking. A grounded understanding and practical application of the psychology of teams is essential to effective practice. We support this with some reference to our own varied experience of work with multi-agency teams. This understanding will be used to suggest some ways to develop effective teamwork. Our focus throughout will be on adult, professional groups: the dynamics, group processes and our psychological understanding of them. Our intention is to provoke debate and to provide a ‘real’ account of the experience of three educational psychologists, all of whom have worked for a number of years within teams and independently of teams.

Educational psychologists’ experience of taking part in group supervision: A phenomenological study

“…while Leadbetter (2006) looked into a four year research project into the developmental process a team goes through which was based on activity theory and concluded that a greater knowledge of what may be happening within teams, and the possible dynamics and underpinning psychological and social processes, should be helpful and should facilitate increased reflective practice (p57) Dennison, McBay and Shaldon (2006) reflected on the contribution educational psychology can make to effective teamwork. Adopting a psychodynamic, social constructionist and systemic background, they reflected on their experiences of working in multiagency teams and noted that psychological understanding of teams/groups and psychological input to the setting up and maintenance of those teams/groups played a crucial factor.…”