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

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

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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:
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:

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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.