The social work degree requires that students clearly demonstrate competence in working with groups. Many social work students will begin working with families, communities and organisations before they qualify and are regularly assessed on this groupwork practice through assignments and observation. Specialist skills are needed to cope in challenging groups and the authors look at how students can develop their existing skills to cope and respond to challenges. The practical focus of this book on planning, organising, facilitating and evaluating groupwork will help students to develop their skills and pass assessment, increasing confidence during placement groupwork activities. A practical and accessible textbook, Groupwork Practice in Social Work is essential reading to help students through their complex and challenging Groupwork assessments. Key updates: New material on working with service user groups New material for students who are being assessed in a group Updated case studies This book is in the Transforming Social Work Practice series. All books in the series are affordable, mapped to the Social Work Curriculum, practical with clear links between theory & practice and written to the Professional Capabilities Framework.

Working with families, carers, groups and communities is something all social work students must prepare for. Written to guide you through these varied and complex groupwork situations, this book explores the knowledge, skills and values required for groupwork practice. Divided into two parts, the first provides an understanding of groupwork, its concepts and contexts, while the second takes you step-by-step through groupwork practice, from planning and preparation, to starting out, facilitating and finally ending work with a group. Different service contexts including work with children, with users who have learning disabilities, in mental health settings, and more, are covered throughout the book, with case studies, activities and reflective opportunities helping you to understand the complexities of these contexts. This text is a comprehensive and contemporary guide to groupwork in social work today.

Here is an important look at creative ways to successfully blend theoretical knowledge with skillful intervention in social group work. Theory and Practice in Social Group Work represents leading works in conceptual development that creatively connect practice with theory and also reflect the current diversity of interventions in group work practice. The book calls for more carefully articulated connections between knowledge and action and maps a strategy for strengthening social work curriculum and expanding group work practice. Some of the areas discussed include group work in medical and health settings, group work with people undergoing life cycle transitions, and group work interventions with vulnerable populations. A wide range of possibilities for applying theories in group work situations are presented in this thought-provoking volume. Some specific examples discussed include group work interventions with persons affected by the AIDS crisis and persons at high risk of contracting HIV, a group model for the management of chronic pain, group intervention services for the homeless mentally ill delivered through a mobile outreach team, a bingo group in an SRO hotel, group work with adults molested as children, and a model of practice for work with minority populations and communities.

Small social groups are fundamental for achieving personal growth, social development, socialization, and the skills of sustaining relevance, relationships, and connections to society. Unfortunately, those who would benefit most from small groups often find themselves unable to achieve membership. Lacking the necessary skills for entry, these individuals may never enjoy the advantages of group membership. Advancing a practice methodology that specifically targets the socially unskilled, Norma C. Lang provides much-needed guidance to practitioners helping individuals become part of group life. Grounded in extensive practice, Lang's methodology addresses the special needs and anomalous functioning of individuals who lack the skills to form and use groups. She outlines the unique pregroup processes of socially unskilled populations and provides a methodology for advancing social competence. She also identifies the professional and agency requirements for working with presocial processes. Widely applicable to practice with social work groups, Lang's method greatly expands the literature on social work theory and practice with individuals and groups.

Not simply another "how-to" book, this provocative collection of readings does not advance a single viewpoint or approach to group work. Instead, the 25 selections present the full spectrum of classic and current perspectives, providing student and practitioner alike with a sound basis for evaluating contemporary practice and for formulating a personal approach to social group work. The historical and conceptual roots of modern social group work methods are examined in Part I, "Conceptual Foundations" which contains some of the classic statements in the field. Part II, "Current Perspectives", explores the most widely influential contemporary models of group work, "social goals" perspectives, "remedial" perspectives, and "mediative" perspectives. The two-part section that concludes the volume focuses on applications: group work is first discussed in relation to family and community casework and administration; then, self-help groups and other techniques used in the fields of medicine, counseling, and psychology are surveyed in light of their implications for social workers. To encourage the reader's active participation in the development of an individual philosophy and approach to social group work, Dr. Alissi concludes each chapter with probing study questions. These open-ended questions stimulate comparisons among the methods presented and urge the reader to relate new ideas to his or her own experience in the field. Introductions to each part and chapter also stress comparative aspects. An annotated list of articles and books on the subject of each chapter allows the reader to explore it in greater depth. A stimulating and systematic exposure to the most important ideas in social group work today, "Perspectives on Social Group Work Practice" expands the repertoire of working concepts vital to contemporary practice.

A Theory of Groupwork Practice is based on the results of the search for the fundamental similarities in the practice of all groupworkers in whatever profession or setting they may operate. The theoretical concepts used by groupworkers may be widely variant, but what workers actually do when in interaction with the groups they create or adapt shows remarkable similarities which are deeper and more influential than the concepts in promoting or preventing successful group outcomes. This book presents the foundations of a coherent theory of group work practice based on these similarities.

In this extremely practical guide, Julie Phillips argues that preparation is the most important element in running successful groups, and explores the issues that practitioners should address. She demonstrates how to prepare effectively, drawing on eight extended case studies with a variety of groups ranging from a positive parenting group to an anger management group. She examines the initial decisions that must be made such as determining the size, purpose and goals of a group, and finding an appropriate meeting place. Anti-discriminatory practice, with an emphasis on power, race and gender issues, is highlighted as a fundamental consideration in planning a group. Phillips underpins her recommendations for practice with the theories behind groupwork and includes frameworks for analysing the effectiveness of group programmes. Groupwork in Social Care will be essential reading for students and qualified professionals working in the fields of occupational therapy, youth work, social work, probation and community mental health nursing.

Group work is a popular and widely used social work method. Focusing particularly on the central role of mutual aid in effective group work, this text presents the theoretical base, outlines core principles, and introduces the skills for translating those theories and principles into practice. A Mutual-Aid Model for Social Work with Groups will help readers to catalyze the strengths of group members such that they become better problem solvers in all areas of life from the playroom to the boardroom. Increased coverage of evaluation and evidence-based practice speaks to the field’s growing concern with monitoring process and assessing progress. The book also includes: worker-based obstacles to mutual aid, their impact, and their antidotes pre-group planning including new discussion on curriculum groups group building by prioritizing certain goals and norms in the new group the significance of time and place on mutual aid and the role of the group worker maintaining mutual aid during so-called individual problem solving an expanded discussion of anti-oppression and anti-oppressive practice unlocking a group’s potential to make difference and conflict useful special considerations in working with time-limited, open-ended, and very large groups. Case examples are used throughout to help bridge the gap between theory and practice, and exercises for class or field, help learners to immediately apply conceptual material to their practice. All resources required to carry out the exercises are contained in over 20 appendices at the end of the book. Key points at the end of each chapter recap the major concepts presented, and a roster of recommended reading for each chapter points the reader to further resources on each topic. Designed to support ethical and successful practice, this textbook is an essential addition to the library of any social work student or human service practitioner working with groups.

A student-friendly introduction to social work theories and methods, drawing on current social work research.

How can groups effectively meet the needs of humans in areas as diverse as aid, responsibility, action, healing, learning and acceptance? Based on a selection of papers from the 24th Annual International Symposium of the Association for the Advancement of Social Work with Groups (AASWG), this edited volume aims to address these issues and provide ways to extend the current reach and quality of social work with groups.