Types, Models & Skills of Social Group Work

Types, Models & Skills of Social Group Work

Types, Models & Skills of Social Group Work

Discover the essentials of social group work, including stages of group development, types of groups, key models, and essential skills. Learn how social workers facilitate positive change through group dynamics and cohesive strategies."

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Social Group Work: An Overview

Social group work is a fundamental method in social work, focusing on bringing individuals together to form a cohesive group. The aim is to strengthen members and facilitate change within the group. In essence, a social group consists of individuals who share a geographical area, culture, and mutual feelings, leading to shared ideologies and views.

🎯 Key Objectives of Social Group Work

  • Empowerment: Strengthen internal power to overcome personal and communal challenges.
  • Cohesion: Foster unity and mutual support among group members.
  • Problem Solving: Address personal, organizational, and community issues through collective effort.

🌱 How Groups Develop

Group development is a dynamic process influenced by shared activities, interactions, and sentiments. George Homans' classic theory suggests that groups develop when individuals engage in common activities, leading to increased interaction and the formation of attitudes toward each other.

📊 Stages of Group Development

  1. Forming
    🟢 Orientation and Introduction
    Members get to know each other, understand the group's purpose, and establish initial rules. Trust and openness are key during this stage.

  2. Storming
    🔴 Conflict and Power Struggles
    The group experiences disagreements as members challenge goals and vie for leadership roles. Successful resolution of conflicts leads to group cohesiveness.

  3. Norming
    🔵 Cohesion and Cooperation
    Group members develop a sense of unity, define responsibilities, and work cooperatively towards common goals.

  4. Performing
    🟡 Productivity and Problem Solving
    The group becomes fully functional, resolving conflicts through discussion and making decisions focused on achieving goals.

  5. Adjourning
    ⚪ Closure and Disbandment
    The group disbands after achieving its goals, often leaving members with feelings of closure and sadness.


🔄 Types of Groups

Groups can be categorized into formal and informal types, each serving different purposes and formed under different circumstances.

🏢 Formal Groups

  • Command Groups
    Typically consist of a supervisor and their subordinates, established by an organization to achieve specific objectives.

  • Task Groups
    Formed to accomplish a specific task, such as committees or project groups. They disband once the task is completed.

  • Functional Groups
    These groups continue to exist even after achieving their current goals, often with a rotating membership to maintain long-term objectives.

🗣️ Informal Groups

  • Interest Groups
    Formed around shared interests, these groups may last longer than general informal groups and are not directly related to organizational goals.

  • Friendship Groups
    Based on social bonds, these groups are formed by individuals who share common activities, beliefs, or values.

  • Reference Groups
    Serve as a standard for evaluating oneself, often without formal meetings or voluntary formation.


🛠️ Models of Group Work

Group work models provide frameworks for addressing social issues within communities. There are four primary models in social work:

🩹 Remedial Model

Focuses on individual dysfunction, using the group as a means to alter deviant behavior. Often applied to clients with physical, mental, or social challenges.

🤝 Mediating Model

Based on open systems theory, this model emphasizes the interdependence between individuals and society, focusing on conflict resolution and mutual understanding.

🌍 Developmental Model

Centers on the dynamics of intimacy and closeness within the group, drawing on theories like Erikson's ego psychology and group dynamics.

🚀 Social Goal Model

Aims to promote social consciousness and responsibility. Through group participation, individuals are encouraged to enact social change, with the group worker acting as an enabler and role model.


🛠️ Skills in Group Work

Effective social group work requires a variety of skills, including:

📝 Skill in Using Agency Functions

  • Managing the intake process, connecting the group, and serving individuals through the group process.

💬 Skill in Communication of Feelings

  • Understanding and addressing the feelings of both the group members and the group as a whole.

Skill in Using the Reality of the Present

  • Utilizing the group’s current interests for purposeful activities and helping the group make responsible decisions.

👥 Skill in Stimulating and Using Group Relations

  • Enabling each member to find their role within the group and using programs to strengthen group relations.

By understanding these elements of social group work—how groups form, the types of groups, the models used, and the essential skills required—social workers can effectively guide and support groups towards achieving their goals and fostering positive change.

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