Lesson 3 - Social Groupwork as a Social Work Method PDF

SW 116 – SW PRACTICE WITH GROUPS – Lesson 3- Social Groupwork as a Social Work Method What is this module about? Social group work is a primary modality of social work in bringing about positive change. It fosters individual growth by harnessing the dynamic interplay of personalities with...

SW 116 – SW PRACTICE WITH GROUPS – Lesson 3- Social Groupwork as a Social Work Method What is this module about? Social group work is a primary modality of social work in bringing about positive change. It fosters individual growth by harnessing the dynamic interplay of personalities within a group setting. It strives to create environments where individuals can collaborate towards shared goals, promoting cooperation and integration.This module will discuss about social groupwork as a Social Work Method. Let’s Study: SOCIAL WORK WITH GROUPS FRAMEWORK Philosophical Foundation Knowledge Foundation ❑ Philosophy ❑ Human Behavior and the ❑ Values Environment ❑ Guiding Principles ❑ Social Problems and Social Welfare ❑ Professional Ethics Policy, Programs and Services Formal (Code of Ethics) ❑ Social Work Practice Informal (“given”) (methodological knowledge and skill) Social Work Practice (direct professional social work with individuals/families, groups, communities) Focus of curricular area: helping students understand and appreciate application of philosophical and knowledge foundations of social work, teaching method, knowledge and skills for professional practice. Social Work Practice with Groups - Generic base: philosophical and knowledge foundations - Essential elements of practice: client, worker, problem, process The Group as social work “client” - At least 2 people (usually more), gathered with common purposes or like interests in a cognitive, affective, and social interchange in single or repeated encounters. Advantages of the group approach in social work - Many individual feel more comfortable in a group (support; similar problems) - Members receive psycho rewards from helping others (“Helper therapy” principle) -. Internal forces in groups can influence attitudes, values, behaviors (group can be potent instrument for change in the individual/group SW 116 – SW PRACTICE WITH GROUPS – Lesson 3- Social Groupwork as a Social Work Method - The group allows use of variety of activities relevant to individual needs and group goals - The cooperative thinking process in a group can hasten decision-making - Similar problems of members may be best handled with the group engaged in collective action (instead of individually) -. It maybe more economical to work with a group (if appropriate) How Groups Effect Change (Dorwin Cartwright) A. The group as MEDIUM of change ▪ the target of change: individual member ▪ source of influence: the group ▪ social worker guides group processes to achieve goals B. The group as TARGET of change - the group as a whole or aspects/conditions of the group may have to be changed in order to change individual members (size, composition, climate, structure, etc. C. The group as AGENT of change group efforts aim to modify or redirect features/forces in its social environment techniques: information dissemination, persuasion, negotiation, bargaining, pressure, confrontation etc. USES of Groups in Social Work: 1. For EFFECT on participants: socialization – re-socialization acquiring or changing self-image/identity, motivation attitude change/formation change/formation/modification of values and beliefs behavioral change achieving sense of belonging support education/learning 2. For COLLECTIVE problem-solving work on common/joint tasks or projects dealing with social situations/problems (crisis, family rejection, etc.) SW 116 – SW PRACTICE WITH GROUPS – Lesson 3- Social Groupwork as a Social Work Method 3. For CHANGE in the SOCIAL SITUATION or CONDITIONS outside the group modification of the institution or social system within which the group exists Phases in Group Development (theories Groupwork: a working definition “Social groupwork is a method of social work that aims, in an informed way, through purposeful group experiences, to help individuals and groups to individual and group need, and to influence and change personal, group, organizational and community problem” (Linday and Orton 2008) Group that has been especially set up by a social worker with the intention of intervening in a way that is helpful to individual, group, organization or community Members that have been brought together for a particular beneficial purpose and that meet at a specified time and place Social worker is deliberate in facilitating or shaping and leading the group (or groupwork) and considers the range of reasons why the group can help As an orientation and method, members share interest or common problems, the goals are not necessarily emotional problems, but also include exchange of information, develop social and mutual skills, change value orientations, and divert antisocial behaviors into productive channels”