Social Work Practice

With Groups
Chapter 6

Introduction

Social work with groups has played an important

role in transforming the way we think about
clients and about the helping process.
Science has made the discovery that infants
who are isolated from other human beings
succumb to inattention.
Psychologists have observed that learning can
actually be enhanced by associations with
others.

Introduction
It

is a well documented fact than many of

the physical and mental illnesses of
people are caused by social and emotional
malaise and that social needs bring people
to the office of social workers,
psychologists, and marriage counselors.
People not only need to be loved, they
need to know that they are wanted and
understood.

Introduction
Human

beings are strongly dependent on

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

Group Work Defined

Group

work is a method of working with

people in groups (two or more people) for
personal growth, the enhancement of
social functioning, and for the achievement
of socially desirable goals.
Group work is a method of reducing or
eliminating roadblocks to social interaction
and for accomplishing socially desirable
purposes.

Group Work Defined

Almost all social service agencies use group

work.
The social group worker uses their knowledge of
group organization and functioning to affect the
performance and adjustment of the individual.
The individual remains the focus of concern and
the group the vehicle of growth and change.
Enhancement of social functioning through the
use of the group is the primary aim of group
work.

Group Work Models

Social

Goals Model:

Designed to bring about important social

gains for the group.
It is likely to address itself to problems within
communities and is practiced in settlement
houses, P.T.A. organizations, and community
service and neighborhood councils.
Model has been used in addressing social
problems accompanying community
development and growth.

Social Group Models

The

Remedial Model:

Tends to be clinically oriented.

Facilitates the interaction among members of
the group to achieve change for the individual.
The group supports the member, encouraging
new, more appropriate modes of functioning.
Intervention is reality focused and addresses
the problem of dysfunction in the group and
within the full range of the individuals
relationships.

Social Group Models

The Reciprocal Model:

Serves both the individual and society.

Sees the individual largely as an abstraction that can
be studied, understood, and treated only in relation to
the many systems and subsystems of which they are
a part.
It views the individual as being created, influenced,
and modified by their relationships, social institutions,
and the interdependency between society and the
individual.

Formation of Groups
Worker

Goals:

Include the plans, methods, means, and

programming developed and used to help
members accomplish their goals and
purposes.
Responsible for the organization, the
treatment process, and termination.
Clarity of purpose, goal formulations, and
purpose are essential in group process.

Structuring the Group

The

Setting:

The setting is related to purpose.

For children with limited self-control, activities
in a gymnasium or on a playground do not
provide essential boundaries for group.
Privacy should be provided.
The use of a table may represent a
psychological barrier to interaction for some
groups.

Structuring the Group

Group

Size:

The number of participants ought to be

determined by the objectives of each group.
Seven to nine members are most often
thought to be small enough to allow for open
discussion and attention given to individuals.
The recommended size for educational
groups is larger with groups as small as
twelve or as large as thirty.

Structuring the Group

Group Rules:

A group that makes is own rules is more likely to

abide by them and to apply sanctions as needed to
reinforce them.
Individual beliefs and values should be considered in
relation to group rules.
Rules should be few in number and include only
those deemed essential to achieve the purposes of
the group.
Some members may attempt to impose inappropriate
rules on the group.

Structuring the Group

Open

or Closed Groups:

Designations of open and closed pertain to

the timing of admissions to the group.
Closed groups include only those members
selected at the groups formation.
Open groups are like a slice of life birth,
separation, marriage, and death.
Open systems tend to simulate reality and
provide transferability to real life situations.

Structuring the Group

Short-Term

or Long-Term Groups:

Adults and mature adolescents usually can

accept a time limit on the number of meetings
to accomplish their goals.
Youngsters who have experienced repeated
rejections may see time limits negatively and
try to negotiate for more sessions rather than
invest themselves in the area of goal
attainment.

Structuring the Group

Meeting

Days and Time:

The day and time of meetings will be adapted

to the needs and wishes of the members as
part of initial planning.
Groups usually meet weekly for one to two
hours.
Groups living in institutions may meet more
frequently.
As goals are achieved meetings can be
tapered off.

Structuring the Group

Leadership:

Many group workers advocate the development of

leadership ability in all group members.
Some workers advocate a revolving leadership
system, particularly in activity groups with children
and adults.
Group workers continually must assess the
leadership development of their group as well as the
members ability to share leadership functions and
participate as both leaders and followers.

Stages of Group

Beginning:

Group worker sets the stage

Worker takes time to identify the purpose
Clearly commit to the goals and procedures
Members need to know what they can expect from
the worker
This stage is characterized as a time to convene, to
organize, and to set a plan.
Members are likely to remain distant or removed until
they have had time to develop relationships.

Stages of Group

Middle:

Almost all of the groups work will occur during this

stage.
Relationships are strengthened as a group so that the
tasks can be worked on.
Problem solving is a term often used to describe this
stage.
Group leaders are usually less involved
The leader may remind the group of their goals and
rules and confront relationships that may be
interfering with the overall purpose of the group.

Stages of Group

End:

Marked by the accomplishment of the goals of the

group, production of results, and the evaluation of the
groups work.
Preparation for termination should begin with the first
session.
The worker will help members deal with their feelings
associated with the termination of the group.
Help participants plan on ways to maintain and
generalize the gains each member has made.

Group Work Settings

Traditional

Settings:

The YMCA and YWCA are examples of

agencies that focus on the use of group
process in helping youths.
The YMCA had 2,000 units in the United
States in l992, with a registered membership
of 12.8 million.
The YWCA was operating out of thousands of
locations in the US and represented more
than 2 million members in l998.

Group Work Settings

Group Services in Host Agencies:

Group process is being used considerably in the field

of corrections.
In hospitals social workers often help patients in
groups understand some of their medical and
emotional problems.
In psychiatric hospitals groups of patients join
together on a group basis under the guidance of a
group leader.
Many school districts utilize group process in working
with boys and girls who have various kinds of
personal and family problems.