Chapter Ten Social Work Practice with Groups Social Work & Social Welfare: An Invitation (3rd ed.)

Discussion Describe a small group you’ve been a part of…

Key Ideas Models of Group Practice Phases of Group Work Social Action Groups Remedial Groups Reciprocal Groups Task Groups Phases of Group Work

Practice with Groups Mezzo (or meso) level of practice Working with a group of persons to address: Individual issues A need for information and education Support Social conditions Models for group work

Social Action Groups Aimed at facilitating social change on the organizational or community level Examples Neighborhood improvement groups Members of the Alzheimer’s Association Also known as social goals groups Aimed at facilitating social change on the organizational or community level Examples Neighborhood groups that promote a safe environment Strategize ways to improve neighborhood Members of the Alzheimer’s Association Group formed to lobby legislators to pass legislation requiring mandatory dementia education for long-term care workers

Remedial Groups Also known as treatment groups, group therapy, and clinical group work Emphasis on problem-focused individual growth and change Examples Persons hospitalized with mental illness Survivors of childhood incest Also known as treatment groups, group therapy, and clinical group work Emphasis on problem-focused individual growth and change Goal is to eliminate or cope with a specific social, emotional, or behavioral issue Examples Persons hospitalized with mental illness Survivors of childhood incest

Reciprocal Groups Also known as mutual aid, self-help and support group model Emphasize the concept of common goals, interests and exchange as the basis for change Examples Addiction groups (12-step, AA, etc.) Disease/health condition groups Research: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4630107n Also known as mutual aid, self-help and support group model Emphasize the concept of common goals, interests and exchange as the basis for change Examples Addiction groups (12-step, AA, etc.) Disease/health condition groups Research: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4630107n

Task Groups Work toward completing a task, action, or goal, that has been previously agreed on by the group members Examples Individual Education Plan Senior Immigrant Project Work toward completing a task, action, or goal, that has been previously agreed on by the group members Examples Individual Education Plan School staff along with parents meet to discuss educational and social progress of students who have special needs Senior Immigrant Project Community based agency workers collaborate on a grant proposal to provide culturally appropriate services to older adults

Social Work with Groups Planned Change Process Phases of Group Work Engagement Assessment Intervention Evaluation Termination Beginning Engagement and Assessment Middle Intervention End Evaluation and Termination SKILLS for SW PRACTICE with GROUPS Engagement Introductions, purpose, establishing norms and boundaries Assessment Group development, diversity, strengths, balance personal and group goals Intervention Goals and agenda (actual change) Evaluation/Termination Tools/activities, feelings, plan for maintaining change

Exercise Read descriptions of groups to which the Sanchez family may belong. Determine the type of group and list indicators that identify the type of group. Identify skills appropriate for each phase of the group process.