1. The Practice of Generalist Social Work (2nd ed.)
CHAPTER EIGHT CONTEMPORARY TRENDS AND SKILLS FOR THE BEGINNING PHASE OF GROUP WORK
The Practice of Generalist Social Work (2nd ed.)

2. Key Ideas
Preplanning, engagement, assessment, and planning are critical to effective intervention with groups.
These steps coincide with the phases of groups work—planning, beginning, middle, and ending phases.
© 2011 Taylor & Francis

3. Pre-Group Planning: Areas to Consider
1. Need
Identify needs as perceived by population
Consider agency’s mission
2. Purpose
Consider collective and individual objectives
3. Composition
Heterogeneity vs homogeneity of group members
4. Structure
Open vs closed
Logistical arrangements
© 2011 Taylor & Francis

4. Pre-Group Planning: Areas to Consider
5. Content
Based on the purpose
6. Agency context
Consider how agency will affect group
7. Social context
Consider social and cultural influences
8. Pre-group contact
Consider recruitment, screening, and preparation of group members
© 2011 Taylor & Francis

5. Engagement: Beginning Phase of Group Intervention
Processes and considerations
Member aspirations and needs
Clarify goals and expectations
Develop contracts
Clarify roles
Develop purpose
Develop content, activities, and resources
Promote group cohesion
Establish work plan
Be aware of and recognize unique characteristics of group
© 2011 Taylor & Francis

6. Assessment Often occurs on an ongoing basis as the group progresses
Strategy for determining if group members share issues and characteristics
Used to monitor progress toward goals
Employed to measure group cohesiveness and facilitator effectiveness
© 2011 Taylor & Francis

7. Planning Important step in the group process
Requires attentiveness and flexibility
Group members’ needs can change during the group process
Need to balance needs of group with individual members’ needs
© 2011 Taylor & Francis