Social Work Practice With Groups Chapter 6. Introduction Social work with groups has played an important role in transforming the way we think about.

Social Work Practice Social Work Practice With GroupsWith Groups

Chapter 6Chapter 6

Introduction Introduction

Social work with groups has played an important Social work with groups has played an important role in transforming the way we think about role 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 infants Science has made the discovery that infants who are isolated from other human beings who are isolated from other human beings succumb to inattention.succumb to inattention.

Psychologists have observed that learning can Psychologists have observed that learning can actually be enhanced by associations with actually be enhanced by associations with others.others.

Introduction Introduction

It is a well documented fact than many of It is a well documented fact than many of the physical and mental illnesses of the physical and mental illnesses of people are caused by social and emotional people are caused by social and emotional malaise and that social needs bring people malaise and that social needs bring people to the office of social workers, to the office of social workers, psychologists, and marriage counselors.psychologists, and marriage counselors.

People not only need to be loved, they People not only need to be loved, they need to know that they are wanted and need to know that they are wanted and understood.understood.

Introduction Introduction

Human beings are strongly dependent on Human beings are strongly dependent on interactions with other humans.interactions with other humans.

Social work practice with groups builds on Social work practice with groups builds on the important impact of groups on the important impact of groups on individuals and utilizes group processes to individuals and utilizes group processes to accomplish individual and group goals.accomplish individual and group goals...

Group Work DefinedGroup Work Defined

Group work is a method of working with Group work is a method of working with people in groups (two or more people) for people in groups (two or more people) for personal growth, the enhancement of personal growth, the enhancement of social functioning, and for the achievement social functioning, and for the achievement of socially desirable goals.of socially desirable goals.

Group work is a method of reducing or Group work is a method of reducing or eliminating roadblocks to social interaction eliminating roadblocks to social interaction and for accomplishing socially desirable and for accomplishing socially desirable purposes.purposes.

Group Work DefinedGroup Work Defined

Almost all social service agencies use group Almost all social service agencies use group work.work.

The social group worker uses their knowledge of The social group worker uses their knowledge of group organization and functioning to affect the group 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 and The 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 the Enhancement of social functioning through the use of the group is the primary aim of group use of the group is the primary aim of group work.work.

Group Work ModelsGroup Work Models

Social Goals Model:Social Goals Model: Designed to bring about important social Designed to bring about important social

gains for the group.gains for the group. It is likely to address itself to problems within It is likely to address itself to problems within

communities and is practiced in settlement communities and is practiced in settlement houses, P.T.A. organizations, and community houses, P.T.A. organizations, and community service and neighborhood councils.service and neighborhood councils.

Model has been used in addressing social Model has been used in addressing social problems accompanying community problems accompanying community development and growth.development and growth.

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 of Facilitates 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, encouraging The group supports the member, encouraging

new, more appropriate modes of functioning.new, more appropriate modes of functioning. Intervention is reality focused and addresses Intervention is reality focused and addresses

the problem of dysfunction in the group and the problem of dysfunction in the group and within the full range of the individual’s within the full range of the individual’s relationships.relationships.

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 can Sees the individual largely as an abstraction that can

be studied, understood, and treated only in relation to be studied, understood, and treated only in relation to the many systems and subsystems of which they are the 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 the and the interdependency between society and the individual.individual.

Formation of GroupsFormation of Groups

Worker Goals:Worker Goals: Include the plans, methods, means, and Include the plans, methods, means, and

programming developed and used to help programming developed and used to help members accomplish their goals and members accomplish their goals and purposes.purposes.

Responsible for the organization, the Responsible for the organization, the treatment process, and termination.treatment process, and termination.

Clarity of purpose, goal formulations, and Clarity of purpose, goal formulations, and purpose are essential in group process.purpose are essential in group process.

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, activities For children with limited self-control, activities

in a gymnasium or on a playground do not in 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 a The use of a table may represent a

psychological barrier to interaction for some psychological barrier to interaction for some groups.groups.

Structuring the GroupStructuring the Group

Group Size:Group Size: The number of participants ought to be The 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 often Seven to nine members are most often

thought to be small enough to allow for open thought to be small enough to allow for open discussion and attention given to individuals.discussion and attention given to individuals.

The recommended size for educational The recommended size for educational groups is larger with groups as small as groups is larger with groups as small as twelve or as large as thirty.twelve or as large as thirty.

Structuring the GroupStructuring the Group

Group Rules:Group Rules: A group that makes is own rules is more likely to A group that makes is own rules is more likely to

abide by them and to apply sanctions as needed to abide by them and to apply sanctions as needed to reinforce them.reinforce them.

Individual beliefs and values should be considered in Individual beliefs and values should be considered in relation to group rules.relation to group rules.

Rules should be few in number and include only those Rules should be few in number and include only those deemed essential to achieve the purposes of the deemed essential to achieve the purposes of the group.group.

Some members may attempt to impose inappropriate Some members may attempt to impose inappropriate rules on the group.rules on the group.

Structuring the GroupStructuring the Group

Open or Closed Groups:Open or Closed Groups: Designations of “open” and “closed” pertain to Designations 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 members Closed 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 and Open systems tend to simulate reality and

provide transferability to real life situations.provide transferability to real life situations.

Structuring the GroupStructuring the Group

Short-Term or Long-Term Groups:Short-Term or Long-Term Groups: Adults and mature adolescents usually can Adults and mature adolescents usually can

accept a time limit on the number of meetings accept a time limit on the number of meetings to accomplish their goals.to accomplish their goals.

Youngsters who have experienced repeated Youngsters who have experienced repeated rejections may see time limits negatively and rejections may see time limits negatively and try to negotiate for more sessions rather than try to negotiate for more sessions rather than invest themselves in the area of goal invest themselves in the area of goal attainment.attainment.

Structuring the GroupStructuring the Group

Meeting Days and Time:Meeting Days and Time: The day and time of meetings will be adapted The day and time of meetings will be adapted

to the needs and wishes of the members as to the needs and wishes of the members as part of initial planning.part of initial planning.

Groups usually meet weekly for one to two Groups usually meet weekly for one to two hours.hours.

Groups living in institutions may meet more Groups living in institutions may meet more frequently.frequently.

As goals are achieved meetings can be As goals are achieved meetings can be tapered off.tapered off.

Structuring the GroupStructuring the Group

Leadership:Leadership: Many group workers advocate the development of Many group workers advocate the development of

leadership ability in all group members.leadership ability in all group members. Some workers advocate a revolving leadership Some workers advocate a revolving leadership

system, particularly in activity groups with children system, particularly in activity groups with children and adults.and adults.

Group workers continually must assess the leadership Group workers continually must assess the leadership development of their group as well as the members development of their group as well as the members ability to share leadership functions and participate as ability to share leadership functions and participate as both leaders and followers.both leaders and followers.

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 procedures Clearly commit to the goals and procedures Members need to know what they can expect from Members need to know what they can expect from

the workerthe worker This stage is characterized as a time to convene, to This 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 until Members are likely to remain distant or removed until

they have had time to develop relationships.they have had time to develop relationships.

Stages of GroupStages of Group

Middle:Middle: Almost all of the group’s work will occur during this Almost all of the group’s work will occur during this

stage.stage. Relationships are strengthened as a group so that the Relationships 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 this Problem 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 and The leader may remind the group of their goals and

rules and confront relationships that may be rules and confront relationships that may be interfering with the overall purpose of the group.interfering with the overall purpose of the group.

Stages of GroupStages of Group

End: End: Marked by the accomplishment of the goals of the Marked by the accomplishment of the goals of the

group, production of results, and the evaluation of the group, production of results, and the evaluation of the group’s work.group’s work.

Preparation for termination should begin with the first Preparation for termination should begin with the first session.session.

The worker will help members deal with their feelings The 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 and Help participants plan on ways to maintain and generalize the gains each member has made.generalize the gains each member has made.

Group Work SettingsGroup Work Settings

Traditional Settings:Traditional Settings: The YMCA and YWCA are examples of The YMCA and YWCA are examples of

agencies that focus on the use of group agencies that focus on the use of group process in helping youths.process in helping youths.

The YMCA had 2,000 units in the United The YMCA had 2,000 units in the United States in l992, with a registered membership States in l992, with a registered membership of 12.8 million.of 12.8 million.

The YWCA was operating out of thousands of The YWCA was operating out of thousands of locations in the US and represented more locations in the US and represented more than 2 million members in l998.than 2 million members in l998.

Group Work SettingsGroup Work Settings

Group Services in Host Agencies:Group Services in Host Agencies: Group process is being used considerably in the field Group process is being used considerably in the field

of corrections.of corrections. In hospitals social workers often help patients in In hospitals social workers often help patients in

groups understand some of their medical and groups understand some of their medical and emotional problems.emotional problems.

In psychiatric hospitals groups of patients join In psychiatric hospitals groups of patients join together on a group basis under the guidance of a together on a group basis under the guidance of a group leader.group leader.

Many school districts utilize group process in working Many school districts utilize group process in working with boys and girls who have various kinds of with boys and girls who have various kinds of personal and family problems.personal and family problems.