presented by MOHAMMAD HABEEB. MSW MANUU

1. Social Work PracticeSocial Work Practice
With GroupsWith Groups
Chapter 6Chapter 6

2. IntroductionIntroduction
 Social work with groups has played an importantSocial work with groups has played an important
role in transforming the way we think aboutrole in transforming the way we think about
clients and about the helping process.clients and about the helping process.
 Science has made the discovery that infantsScience has made the discovery that infants
who are isolated from other human beingswho are isolated from other human beings
succumb to inattention.succumb to inattention.
 Psychologists have observed that learning canPsychologists have observed that learning can
actually be enhanced by associations withactually be enhanced by associations with
others.others.

3. IntroductionIntroduction
 It is a well documented fact than many ofIt is a well documented fact than many of
the physical and mental illnesses ofthe physical and mental illnesses of
people are caused by social andpeople are caused by social and
emotional malaise and that social needsemotional malaise and that social needs
bring people to the office of socialbring people to the office of social
workers, psychologists, and marriageworkers, psychologists, and marriage
counselors.counselors.
 People not only need to be loved, theyPeople not only need to be loved, they
need to know that they are wanted andneed to know that they are wanted and
understood.understood.

4. IntroductionIntroduction
 Human beings are strongly dependent onHuman beings are strongly dependent on
interactions with other humans.interactions with other humans.
 Social work practice with groups builds onSocial work practice with groups builds on
the important impact of groups onthe important impact of groups on
individuals and utilizes group processes toindividuals and utilizes group processes to
accomplish individual and group goals.accomplish individual and group goals...

5. Group Work DefinedGroup Work Defined
 Group work is a method of working withGroup work is a method of working with
people in groups (two or more people) forpeople in groups (two or more people) for
personal growth, the enhancement ofpersonal growth, the enhancement of
social functioning, and for thesocial functioning, and for the
achievement of socially desirable goals.achievement of socially desirable goals.
 Group work is a method of reducing orGroup work is a method of reducing or
eliminating roadblocks to social interactioneliminating roadblocks to social interaction
and for accomplishing socially desirableand for accomplishing socially desirable
purposes.purposes.

6. Group Work DefinedGroup Work Defined
 Almost all social service agencies use groupAlmost all social service agencies use group
work.work.
 The social group worker uses their knowledge ofThe social group worker uses their knowledge of
group organization and functioning to affect thegroup organization and functioning to affect the
performance and adjustment of the individual.performance and adjustment of the individual.
 The individual remains the focus of concern andThe individual remains the focus of concern and
the group the vehicle of growth and change.the group the vehicle of growth and change.
 Enhancement of social functioning through theEnhancement of social functioning through the
use of the group is the primary aim of groupuse of the group is the primary aim of group
work.work.

7. Group Work ModelsGroup Work Models
 Social Goals Model:Social Goals Model:

Designed to bring about important socialDesigned to bring about important social
gains for the group.gains for the group.

It is likely to address itself to problems withinIt is likely to address itself to problems within
communities and is practiced in settlementcommunities and is practiced in settlement
houses, P.T.A. organizations, and communityhouses, P.T.A. organizations, and community
service and neighborhood councils.service and neighborhood councils.

Model has been used in addressing socialModel has been used in addressing social
problems accompanying communityproblems accompanying community
development and growth.development and growth.

8. Social Group ModelsSocial Group Models
 The Remedial Model:The Remedial Model:

Tends to be clinically oriented.Tends to be clinically oriented.

Facilitates the interaction among members ofFacilitates the interaction among members of
the group to achieve change for the individual.the group to achieve change for the individual.

The group supports the member, encouragingThe group supports the member, encouraging
new, more appropriate modes of functioning.new, more appropriate modes of functioning.

Intervention is reality focused and addressesIntervention is reality focused and addresses
the problem of dysfunction in the group andthe problem of dysfunction in the group and
within the full range of the individual’swithin the full range of the individual’s
relationships.relationships.

9. Social Group ModelsSocial Group Models
 The Reciprocal Model:The Reciprocal Model:

Serves both the individual and society.Serves both the individual and society.

Sees the individual largely as an abstraction that canSees the individual largely as an abstraction that can
be studied, understood, and treated only in relation tobe studied, understood, and treated only in relation to
the many systems and subsystems of which they arethe many systems and subsystems of which they are
a part.a part.

It views the individual as being created, influenced,It views the individual as being created, influenced,
and modified by their relationships, social institutions,and modified by their relationships, social institutions,
and the interdependency between society and theand the interdependency between society and the
individual.individual.

10. Formation of GroupsFormation of Groups
 Worker Goals:Worker Goals:

Include the plans, methods, means, andInclude the plans, methods, means, and
programming developed and used to helpprogramming developed and used to help
members accomplish their goals andmembers accomplish their goals and
purposes.purposes.

Responsible for the organization, theResponsible for the organization, the
treatment process, and termination.treatment process, and termination.

Clarity of purpose, goal formulations, andClarity of purpose, goal formulations, and
purpose are essential in group process.purpose are essential in group process.

11. Structuring the GroupStructuring the Group
 The Setting:The Setting:

The setting is related to purpose.The setting is related to purpose.

For children with limited self-control, activitiesFor children with limited self-control, activities
in a gymnasium or on a playground do notin a gymnasium or on a playground do not
provide essential boundaries for group.provide essential boundaries for group.

Privacy should be provided.Privacy should be provided.

The use of a table may represent aThe use of a table may represent a
psychological barrier to interaction for somepsychological barrier to interaction for some
groups.groups.

12. Structuring the GroupStructuring the Group
 Group Size:Group Size:

The number of participants ought to beThe number of participants ought to be
determined by the objectives of each group.determined by the objectives of each group.

Seven to nine members are most oftenSeven to nine members are most often
thought to be small enough to allow for openthought to be small enough to allow for open
discussion and attention given to individuals.discussion and attention given to individuals.

The recommended size for educationalThe recommended size for educational
groups is larger with groups as small asgroups is larger with groups as small as
twelve or as large as thirty.twelve or as large as thirty.

13. Structuring the GroupStructuring the Group
 Group Rules:Group Rules:

A group that makes is own rules is more likely toA group that makes is own rules is more likely to
abide by them and to apply sanctions as needed toabide by them and to apply sanctions as needed to
reinforce them.reinforce them.

Individual beliefs and values should be considered inIndividual beliefs and values should be considered in
relation to group rules.relation to group rules.

Rules should be few in number and include only thoseRules should be few in number and include only those
deemed essential to achieve the purposes of thedeemed essential to achieve the purposes of the
group.group.

Some members may attempt to impose inappropriateSome members may attempt to impose inappropriate
rules on the group.rules on the group.

14. Structuring the GroupStructuring the Group
 Open or Closed Groups:Open or Closed Groups:

Designations of “open” and “closed” pertain toDesignations of “open” and “closed” pertain to
the timing of admissions to the group.the timing of admissions to the group.

Closed groups include only those membersClosed groups include only those members
selected at the group’s formation.selected at the group’s formation.

Open groups are like a slice of life – birth,Open groups are like a slice of life – birth,
separation, marriage, and death.separation, marriage, and death.

Open systems tend to simulate reality andOpen systems tend to simulate reality and
provide transferability to real life situations.provide transferability to real life situations.

15. Structuring the GroupStructuring the Group
 Short-Term or Long-Term Groups:Short-Term or Long-Term Groups:

Adults and mature adolescents usually canAdults and mature adolescents usually can
accept a time limit on the number of meetingsaccept a time limit on the number of meetings
to accomplish their goals.to accomplish their goals.

Youngsters who have experienced repeatedYoungsters who have experienced repeated
rejections may see time limits negatively andrejections may see time limits negatively and
try to negotiate for more sessions rather thantry to negotiate for more sessions rather than
invest themselves in the area of goalinvest themselves in the area of goal
attainment.attainment.

16. Structuring the GroupStructuring the Group
 Meeting Days and Time:Meeting Days and Time:

The day and time of meetings will be adaptedThe day and time of meetings will be adapted
to the needs and wishes of the members asto the needs and wishes of the members as
part of initial planning.part of initial planning.

Groups usually meet weekly for one to twoGroups usually meet weekly for one to two
hours.hours.

Groups living in institutions may meet moreGroups living in institutions may meet more
frequently.frequently.

As goals are achieved meetings can beAs goals are achieved meetings can be
tapered off.tapered off.

17. Structuring the GroupStructuring the Group
 Leadership:Leadership:

Many group workers advocate the development ofMany group workers advocate the development of
leadership ability in all group members.leadership ability in all group members.

Some workers advocate a revolving leadershipSome workers advocate a revolving leadership
system, particularly in activity groups with childrensystem, particularly in activity groups with children
and adults.and adults.

Group workers continually must assess theGroup workers continually must assess the
leadership development of their group as well as theleadership development of their group as well as the
members ability to share leadership functions andmembers ability to share leadership functions and
participate as both leaders and followers.participate as both leaders and followers.

18. Stages of GroupStages of Group
 Beginning:Beginning:

Group worker sets the stageGroup worker sets the stage

Worker takes time to identify the purposeWorker takes time to identify the purpose

Clearly commit to the goals and proceduresClearly commit to the goals and procedures

Members need to know what they can expect fromMembers need to know what they can expect from
the workerthe worker

This stage is characterized as a time to convene, toThis stage is characterized as a time to convene, to
organize, and to set a plan.organize, and to set a plan.

Members are likely to remain distant or removed untilMembers are likely to remain distant or removed until
they have had time to develop relationships.they have had time to develop relationships.

19. Stages of GroupStages of Group
 Middle:Middle:

Almost all of the group’s work will occur during thisAlmost all of the group’s work will occur during this
stage.stage.

Relationships are strengthened as a group so that theRelationships are strengthened as a group so that the
tasks can be worked on.tasks can be worked on.

Problem solving is a term often used to describe thisProblem solving is a term often used to describe this
stage.stage.

Group leaders are usually less involvedGroup leaders are usually less involved

The leader may remind the group of their goals andThe leader may remind the group of their goals and
rules and confront relationships that may berules and confront relationships that may be
interfering with the overall purpose of the group.interfering with the overall purpose of the group.

20. Stages of GroupStages of Group
 End:End:

Marked by the accomplishment of the goals of theMarked by the accomplishment of the goals of the
group, production of results, and the evaluation of thegroup, production of results, and the evaluation of the
group’s work.group’s work.

Preparation for termination should begin with the firstPreparation for termination should begin with the first
session.session.

The worker will help members deal with their feelingsThe worker will help members deal with their feelings
associated with the termination of the group.associated with the termination of the group.

Help participants plan on ways to maintain andHelp participants plan on ways to maintain and
generalize the gains each member has made.generalize the gains each member has made.

21. Group Work SettingsGroup Work Settings
 Traditional Settings:Traditional Settings:

The YMCA and YWCA are examples ofThe YMCA and YWCA are examples of
agencies that focus on the use of groupagencies that focus on the use of group
process in helping youths.process in helping youths.

The YMCA had 2,000 units in the UnitedThe YMCA had 2,000 units in the United
States in l992, with a registered membershipStates in l992, with a registered membership
of 12.8 million.of 12.8 million.

The YWCA was operating out of thousands ofThe YWCA was operating out of thousands of
locations in the US and represented morelocations in the US and represented more
than 2 million members in l998.than 2 million members in l998.

22. Group Work SettingsGroup Work Settings
 Group Services in Host Agencies:Group Services in Host Agencies:

Group process is being used considerably in the fieldGroup process is being used considerably in the field
of corrections.of corrections.

In hospitals social workers often help patients inIn hospitals social workers often help patients in
groups understand some of their medical andgroups understand some of their medical and
emotional problems.emotional problems.

In psychiatric hospitals groups of patients joinIn psychiatric hospitals groups of patients join
together on a group basis under the guidance of atogether on a group basis under the guidance of a
group leader.group leader.

Many school districts utilize group process in workingMany school districts utilize group process in working
with boys and girls who have various kinds ofwith boys and girls who have various kinds of
personal and family problems.personal and family problems.