Introduction of Group Work

Groups are a fundamental part of social life. Groups can be very small – just two people –or very large.
They can be highly rewarding to their members and to society as a whole, but there are also significant
problems and dangers with them. All this makes them an essential focus for research, exploration and
action. Humans are small group beings. We always have been and we always will be. The
ubiquitousness of groups and the inevitability of being in them make groups one of the most important
factors in our lives. As the effectiveness of our groups goes, so goes the quality of our lives
However, there is a downside to all this. The socialization they offer might be highly constraining and
oppressive for some of their members. They can also become environments that foster interpersonal
conflict. Furthermore, the boundaries drawn around groups are part of a process of excluding certain
people (sometimes to their detriment) and creating inter-group conflict. There is also evidence to show
that groups can impact upon individuals in ways that warp their judgments and that lead to damaging
decision making (what some commentators have talked about as ('groupthink'). Given all of this it is
easy to see why the intervention of skilled leaders and facilitators is sometimes necessary.
Social group work is a method of social work which develops the ability of
establishing constructive relationship in individuals through group activities.Group
experiences are the essential needs of humanbeing. The reciprocal and dynamic
interactions and transactions between persons and environment are inherent in social
group work practice. Sometimes due to his/her own fault or weakness and sometimes
due to unfavourable environment, one fails to perform his/her activities of the group
life. Here group work helps the individual in removing weakness and strengthening
internal power to perform his/her job satisfactorily. The social group worker must
have the theoretical knowledge of social group work, its principles, its skills, its
models, its assumption so that he/she may be able to perform his/her jobs most
satisfactorily.

Social Work with Groups.

One cannot examine the life of any group without realizing its potentialities for affecting the
consequently the values of the members. Group interaction is the social force through which
individual growth and development take place. It is also the means through which societal growth and
change are accomplished. While group life makes growth possible, it does not necessarily mean that
any group life develops a happy, well-balanced individual or a democratic society automatically.
Achievement of these ends depends upon the set of values which are the dominant ideals of the
members and of the society of which they are a part. A worker is assigned to a group in order that he
may influence it for some social purpose which is of value to the sponsor of the group. That social
purpose may be totalitarian or it may be democratic .
Principles of Social Group Work

While group work shares with other methods of social work, generic principles such as respect for the
individual, non-judgemental attitude and objectivity, out of its own philosophy and skill evolve basic
principles specific to this method which guide the worker. Change is brought about through the
establishment of purposeful growth-producing relationships between the worker and group
members and among the members themselves. Sometimes this may require an appropriate
modification of the group interactional process and its components (such as bond, leadership,
isolation, scapegoating, sub-groups, conflict, hostility and contagion) to create a conducive
atmosphere. The group worker encourages each member to participate according to the stage of his
capacity thus enabling him to become more capable and confident in the process of problem solving.
The worker also makes judicious use of limitations to direct and control the behaviour of members to
obtain the optimum interaction. Most important is the differential and purposeful use of a
programme according to the diagnostic evaluation of individual members, the group purpose and
appropriate social goals. Well-chosen programme media provide opportunities for a new and differing
experience in relationships and accomplishments. Group work demands an ongoing evaluation of the
progress made by each individual and the group and, finally and most important of all, a warm and
disciplined use of self on the part of the worker.

The group worker benefit the conscious understanding of the basic principles
of social group work because this knowledge provides him/her a frame work to
work with the group. Sometimes the word ‘concept’ and ‘principles’ are used
interchangeably but there is differencebetween the two. The concepts are
ideas regarding individuals, groups and communities emerged from social and
biological sciences as well as from thehumanities disciplines. Such concepts
are for example social distance, problem, role, ego, etc. They are basic to all
social work methods. A principle is a verbalized statement, general rules or
laws, fundamental truths by which we proceed from one situation to another. A
principle must be understood to mean a hypothesis so adequately tested by
observation and experiment that it may be put forward as a guide to action.
Social group work principles are guiding assertions of statements that have
come from experience and research. Basic principles of working with people in
groups to help them grow and change have emerged from the practice of
social group work. The objectives of social group work
can be fulfilled only within the frame work of principles.Therefore, it seems
necessary to deal with basic principles, which are guiding force for group work
practice.

Douglus &Tom has mentioned 14 Principles of Social Group

Work

1) Recognition and subsequent action in relation to the unique difference of

each individual.
2) Recognition and subsequent action in relation to the wide variety of groups
as groups.
3) Genuine acceptance of each individual with his unique strengths and
weaknesses.
4) Establishment of a purposeful relationship between group worker and group
members.
5) Encouragement and enabling of help and cooperative relationship between
members.
6) Appropriate modification of the group process.
7) Encouragement of each member to participate according to the stage of his
capacity and enabling
him to become more capable.
8) Enabling members to involve themselves in the process of problem solving.
9) Enabling group members to experience increasingly satisfactory forms of working
through conflicts.
10) Provision of opportunities for new and differing experience in relationships and
accomplishments.
11) Judicious use of limitations related to the diagnostic assessment of each individual
and total situation.
12) Purposeful and differential use of programme according to diagnostic evaluation
of individual members group purpose and appropriate social goals.
13) Ongoing evaluation of individual and group progress.
14) Humane and disciplined use of self on the part of the group worker.

Values of Group Work

The value system informing group work practice identify with “the ultimate value of social work”
which they suggest is “that human beings have opportunities to realize their potential for living in ways
that are both personally satisfying and socially desirable”. Humanistic values guide social work
practice with groups, inform worker role and use of self, and the understanding of membership in a
social work group. Humanistic values "cast people in society as responsible for and to one another”.
The perspective espoused by several social work group work experts is that not only are people
responsible for one another but that mutual interdependence is preferable to individualism. The
following humanistic values have been highlighted by social work educators, such as Gisela Konopka,
as integral to social work practice with groups: 1) "individuals are of inherent worth"; 2) "people are
mutually responsible for each other; and 3) "people have the fundamental right to experience mental
health brought about by social and political conditions that support their fulfilment"

Characteristics of Group Work

Group work is essential to work with a systematic plan having understanding, we feelings and
concentration. Group workers are viewed as helping persons whose job is to help people by identifying
her/his problem, skill and ability.

1. Group work practiced by group itself

2. It‟s based on humanitarian philosophy
3. It gives aspiration to help each other
4. Group work provides more information and
more skill
5. It develop human personality
1. Group work is practiced by group itself With the help of group workers, development of the
individual changes and personality growth are happen. The group practiced and take steps by his own
worth and dignity by the help of its workers.

2. Based on humanitarian philosophy: Group work is based on humanitarian philosophy. A group

get its inspiration from the happiness, joy and prosperity of the member of that particular group within
a community. A group must have a belongingness and group philosophy.

3. It gives aspiration to help each other: Because of living together, sharing problem and emotion
of each other they get a aspiration to help each other. The group help the individual when she/he is in
problem.

4.It provides more skill and information: After formation of a group by a worker the group
member get more information and skill. Because of belongingness and helping mind the member can
share their knowledge among themselves. They get more information about science, resources and
techniques.

5.It develops human personality: After making a group their networking with other groups,
workers and agency develop their personality.

Purpose of Social Work with Groups.

In 1964 the Committee on Practice of the Group Work Section of the National Association of Social Workers
proposed that group work was applicable for the following purposes:
 corrective/treatment;
 prevention;
 normal social growth and development;
 personal enhancement; and citizenship indoctrination.
 coping with major life transitions;
 the need to acquire information or skills;
 the need to improve social relationships;
 the need to cope with illness;
 the need to cope with feelings of loss or loneliness

Goal & Functions of Social Group Work Social group work is a orderly, systematic plan, way
of working with people in groups.
Social group work is not an activity but a way of conducting many different activities. The members
are helped to learn new ideas, develop skills, attitude changes & responsibilities through participation
in a social process. In group work group itself has utilized by the individual with the help of the worker
as a primary means of personality growth, change & development of individual. Goal (Purpose) of
Group work:
 To teach the individual to live & work together and participate in the group activities for their
intellectual emotion& physical growth
 To live a good life within the group and family. The individual is also taught to work together with
other people & participate in different activities.
 To develop individual personality& behaviour by using different group work process
 To prepare the individual to learn how to safe responsibility in a democracy style of working.
 To give opportunity to them who have potentiality, worth and dignity of leadership
 To make best use of leisure time
 To learn division of labour & specialization of role just to indicate to play individual role in the group
 To provide suitable task to the individual according to her/his skill, knowledge and interest
 To widen ones horizon
 To prepare people for social change
 To apply group therapy in need of physical, mental and emotional adjustment
Functions of group work:
 Group works mainly sees the situation & the needs of all the individuals & try to solve the problems
of the individuals. For every individual the group is the main source of strength & renders everybody
helping hand.
 A group fulfil the social desires and need of each individual in the group
 Group work is carried on with voluntary group in the setting of social agency
 Group workers tale care of social agencies in many fields as education, religious & recreational field.
 It‟s a helping process with dual purpose of individual & group growth.
 The function of the group work is always for the betterment of the individual as well as for the
growth of the entire group.
 Group worker plays role of enabler & helping person, by earning an effective group. The group
worker is a main person who by her/his better knowledge try to make the group better

Objectives of Group work

Group work helps to achieve the overall objectives of social work through its own specific objectives which are to
assist individuals in their maturation; provide supplemental emotional and social nourishment; promote democratic
participation and citizenship; and remedy individual and social disorganisation or maladjustment through group
intervention strategies. If group work is objectively studied in a developing country, it will be seen that the
majority of the programmes will be focused on the bulk of the population that is normal and which will
have to be organised into local self-help and self-governing groups. This is not to under-rate the highly
therapeutic services that will be needed to continue for those with a breakdown. While in India the
efforts will be directed at striving for social justice and removal of inequalities, social group work will
have to form a partnership with social education and deal with critical aspects of the clients' life. It will
also focus on 'legal' and 'political' literacy, that is making people aware of their individual rights, voting
procedures, representation in political parties, etc., which will be important components of such an
educational programme

Use of Programme Media

Largely because of its early linkages to the field of recreation, group work has recognized the value of
additional types of activities in pursuit of change goals. Often, group workers introduce varied tasks and
programme to supplement discussion, depending on the particular composition and goals of the group.
Since verbal abilities are less developed among younger children, games and craft activities have been
effectively used as part of their programme. With adolescents and adults, on the other hand, a number of
social activities and planning for group action are found effective. Within institutions client groups can be
helped to explore problems of the social milieu by being permitted to undertake limited self-government.
Many messages for social development and conscientization are given through the use of folk media in
villages and urban community groups. All these programme activities extend the opportunities for
meaningful interaction among clients, significant involvement with social tasks and acquisition of valued
interpersonal skills. For any of the types of models or approaches of groups referred there are in any setting
of group work practice, one or a combination of the following programme activities which can be used for
diagnostic problem-solving or treatment purposes.
1. Play:

The use of all types of games (physical, intellectual, memory, sensory) including playing with blocks, toys,
sand and water, in the case of young children.
2. Drama, mime, use of puppets and masks and role-play:

In these, members of the group are asked to act various parts which have significance to their problems or
difficulties. Individuals thereby gain insight into their own behaviour and that of others.
3. Music and arts and crafts:

The former which can be vocal or instrumental on a solo or group basis depict and provide an outlet for all
varieties of human emotions whereas the latter, through work with diverse materials such as wood, clay,
paper, straw or paints, give ample scope for self-expression, creativity, balance and harmony.
4. Talk:

This is the action most people associate immediately with group activities especially of a problem-solving or
therapeutic nature dealing with critical topics related to the clients' personal lives. Included in this activity
are small group discussions, lectures, seminars, conversations, sensitivity games and encounter sessions. (A
much-used mode of communication, talk is an essential part of most of the other activities).
5. Movement:

This kind of activity is being used, as counter to the rather overemphasized verbal communication just
referred to. Activities include exploration of touch, non-verbal communication, dance, mime and physical
encounter.
6. Work:

This activity speaks for itself and covers projects and tasks of all kinds of complexity which involve an
ongoing process of cooperative endeavour.

Scope of Social Group Work

The scope of group work can best be considered in two dimensions. Firstly, in its role in traditional
programmes with their original purposes and, secondly, in social development. Both of these would be
more illuminating in a historical perspective.
In the last half decade one sees substantial progress made in group work practice in most of the
traditional settings. The potentialities of groups are recognised and several new and expanded services
are being offered which make use of the small group. Institutional and non-institutional services can be
re-aligned providing more experiences in group living. With the breakdown of the caste system and the
joint family and the resulting insecurity in a fast changing society, group approaches are most
invaluable' in providing the sense of belonging and the accelerated learning that occurs within the
group. Problems of poverty and lack of resources, combined with interpersonal and intrapersonal
tensions can be so overwhelming that sharing these with others and seeking solutions jointly in groups
is a method of problem-solving. With the breakdown of the caste system and the joint family and the resulting
insecurity in a fast changing society, group approaches are most invaluable' in providing the sense of belonging and
the accelerated learning that occurs within the group. Problems of poverty and lack of resources, combined with
interpersonal and intrapersonal tensions can be so overwhelming that sharing these with others and seeking
solutions jointly in groups is a method of problem-solving. Group work is used in group psychoanalysis, group
psychotherapy, ego strengthening, sensitivity training, self awareness training etc, Group work method can be used in
developmental programmes related to health, family welfare, education, community development and housing.
In recent year‟s new psychological concepts and, in particular psychotherapeutic techniques of
transference, ego-strengthening and direct or derivative insight have begun to dominate the scene of
group work, thus tending to make it more refined. Furthermore, the basic principles and methodology
of group work have been used in new movements such as transactional analysis, sensitivity training,
self-awareness and laboratory sessions with youth and adults elsewhere and in India. However, insight
into the resources and influence of the environment and ability to bring indirect influence to bear upon
the client through the environment, which are essential elements of a sociological approach in group
work and absolute prerequisites for developmental work, have so far been overlooked. These need re-
thinking and strengthening .Group work method can be most advantageously used to achieve India's
developmental objectives through programmes of health, family welfare, education, community
development and housing to mention a few. This will demand a re-conceptualisation of both group
work theory and programmes. Hence, an orientation in group work should be given to students in
schools of social work and to personnel in voluntary and government agencies. This orientation should
include a background of social, political and economic development, strategies of planned development
in a developing economy, the need for and types of fundamental changes required in the social
structure, and the steps being taken to bring about these changes. It should also cover an assessment of
existing programmes in the country implemented by voluntary and governmental agencies and further
possibilities of new programmes. Only then can practitioners meaningfully grasp the contribution of
group work to the programmes like integrated rural development, integrated child development, family
planning and the national adult education programmes. In addition, it is necessary to incorporate into
the curriculum of schools of social work, the theories of Paulo Freire and structural analysis side by
side with the Indian approaches of Sarvodaya, Bhoodan, etc. In Nepal where poverty, disease, illiteracy
and low level of living are widespread, group workers must strive for social action and social change
even in remedial and clinical settings. To illustrate, school social work with a group of slow learners is
the usual idea of group work in the educational field. A wider way of looking at it would be to focus on
functional literacy and social education programmes, establishment of parent-teachers' associations
wherever possible in the neighbourhoods and vocational guidance and counselling services on a
community extension basis. Special programmes for culturally deprived children, prevention of school
drop-outs, family life education and organising local pressure groups to demand changes in the
educational system and better educational facilities from local educational authorities are some of the
other ideas that can be initiated. One can also be involved in the preparation of memoranda and
collaboration with other groups working in the same field. The scope of education should also be
extended to cover education for health, better standards of living, housing with all its legislation, and
land reforms.

Reid’s Classification of Group Work Models Case-focused group work. This approach can be described as
'preventative and rehabilitative', 'remedial' or 'organizational' - and is focused on the individual. The group provides a
means by which an individual's problems can be assessed and addressed. It is most clearly connected with social work
and casework and case management. The emphasis is upon 'ameliorating or preventing the adverse conditions that
negatively influence individuals and result in deviant behaviour'. (Example Gisela Konopka and Paul Glasser).
Interaction-focused group work. Here the group is understood as 'a system of mutual aid wherein the worker and the
members are engaged on the common enterprise of carrying out the group's goals'. Within this category fall humanistic
approaches such as those of Glassman and Kates, the social group work of Grace Coyle and the work of William
Schwartz as his associates such as Lawrence Shulman. Group therapy, T-groups and encounter groups. There was a
continuing growth in discussions that looked to the group as a key element in the therapeutic process - and that drew
heavily upon central traditions of practice within psychotherapy e.g. psychoanalytic, Gestalt, cognitive-behavioural etc.
Allied to this was material around family therapy. (Example Wilfred Bion & Irvin D. Yalom). Another tradition of
practice that could be said to fall in this strand is that of Training groups (T-groups). In T –groups, sensitivity-training
or encounter groups small groups are used as training laboratories for teaching people interpersonal skills. Social goals
group work. Here the focus is on dealing with 'those problems that are related to the social order & the social value
orientation in small groups'. This long established set of traditions of practice is closely linked to community
organization/community work. (Example Mullender and Ward and Twelvetrees. In recent years there has been a
significant development in the discussion of therapeutic traditions of group work. Sadly, working with emergent
groups, and with community groups has not had the attention it merits.
History of group Work
Social group work began as 'group work' with its own unique history and heroes. It was not part of the
mainstream of professional social work, which in the early days was synonymous with casework, as far as
the method was concerned. The ideological roots of social group work were in the self-help and informal
recreational organisations, such as YMCA, YWCA settlement, scouting, Jewish Centres in U.S.A. and
democratic ideals that all should share in the benefits of society following the Industrial Revolution. Social
group work was also influenced by progressive education as it developed in Europe and stressed the use
modern and liberal techniques in group learning. The major thrust of early group-serving agencies was
toward the normal rather than the maladjusted person who would seek service primarily during his
'leisure' hours. He came for recreation, education, enjoyment and the development of special skills and
interests. Group work was then not geared towards individuals with particular problems. The person with
severe problems who appeared in the group was incorporated as much as possible with his peers or was
referred for individual attention to a casework agency or psychiatric clinic. The first course in group work
was offered by the Western Reserve University in the U.S.A. in the early 1930s. There was then great
preoccupation and focus on the activity and programme of the group. This, unfortunately, in many ways
held back the flowering of group work as a theoretically sound method within social work. In 1935 Grace
Coyle, as the Chairman of the newly established section of social group work of the National Conference
of Social Work, began to clarify that group work was a method within social work and that recreation and
education were other fields (professions) which might include group work as a method. The focus then
gradually moved from doing activities to talking activities which was understood at that time as leading
more quickly towards self-understanding, insight and behavioural change.
In the 1940s, with the efforts of persons such as Grace Coyle, Clara Kaiser, Wilber Newsetter, Gertrude
Wilson and Helen Phillips, group work was more fully rooted within the profession of social work and
began to be taught in many more schools in the USA. Soon the American Association of Group Workers
was established, which brought out regular ly a professional publication called The Group. Several new
text-books had been published that served to formalise the thinking of the day. By the early 1950s the
method developed its own distinctiveness and was introduced in most schools of social work throughout
the U.S.A., Great Britain, Canada and other parts of the world. Social group work now wrested itself from
the field of social psychology and also distinguished its methodology from group psychotherapy. It moved
into many 'specialized' settings previously reserved for the practice of casework to serve problem clients.
It developed a refined and sophisticated set of techniques as the National Association of Social Workers
and the Council of Social Work Education produced new documents and publications in group work.
Gisella Konopka, William Schwartz and Dorothea Spellman were the new group work writers. They urged
that group work cease following the path of casework development and move to identify and elaborate
its own therapy and practice. Thus group work obtained a new depth and vision. Its competence is
reserved neither for dysfunctioning individuals alone nor for the range of services to maximise potentials;
it can be used for a range of services. In the late 1960s, Ruth Smalley's new text book "Theory for Social
Work Practice" whose uniqueness rests in the fact that it is the first book to present a unified theory
applicable to casework, group work and community organisation, made a breakthrough in social work
education by emphasizing the commonalities of the three methods. The seventies and eighties saw the
method of group work being utilised in new innovations such as the laboratory method, sensitivity
training, encounter groups and many movements like trans-actional analysis, gestalt therapy and so
forth.

Socio-Cultural Factors that influence Social Group Work Practice For the scope of
group work to be realised fully it is important to understand the cultural determinants which will
affect its practice such as the nature of society and the individual's social functioning in groups in the
Indian context.
Indians are very group conscious living closely knit in families and associating freely with
neighbours and community members through many informal primary and secondary groups. Most
activities, whether the celebration of an offspring's birth or singing devotional hymns for a religious
ceremony, are conducted in groups. Hence it would be a fallacy to draw such natural spontaneous
programmes within the setting of the agency and its office in an attempt to institutionalise them.
Social workers need to move out of the agency and communicate with such informal groups of men
and women at their doorsteps. Dependence on adult guidance has been emphasised in every phase of
an individual's life in India. Hence, the concept of self-determination undergoes a modification
especially in the practice of group work in India where clients are so used to being influenced by
elders. The western method of discussing the problem threadbare does not appeal to Indian
sentiments and, therefore, social workers mistakenly think that because of this dependence the client
will not be able to meet his life's problems as he does not develop coping mechanisms and skills in
the group. Hence, knowledge of the traditional patterns of learning in India and how it is shaped by
community, class, education and religion will guide the worker to develop further techniques in
group work. By doing so one can enable the client to absorb new ideas and have his problem
interpreted in the group situation.

Democratic functioning which is the fundamental principle of group work is not practised in some
sections of the population and people are confused when a democratic approach is taken. When
clients in a group are not in a position to take a decision or initiative, it is advisable to give concrete
advice rather than leave them in that state to work out their own problems. Gradually, when concrete
suggestions from the group worker help people to overcome their problems to some extent, they can
develop further strength to cope with their affairs unaided The social group to which one belongs
prescribes for the individual which attributes he should suppress in order to be more acceptable to
other members as social conformation is the aim. The Indian virtually never steps out of his compact
group relations, the family or the caste. This accounts for his relative reserve in group discussions
and his relative inability to carry out group and individual decisions as compared with the frank
outburst of his western counterpart. As members of the family and the community are closely
interdependent in the life of the Indian, it is but natural that various relationships have to be taken
into consideration before any solution is sought. The group worker must therefore realise that it
requires greater strength of character on the part of the client who is closely tied to his environment
to find a solution to his problem than one who is highly individualistic.

Qualities of a Group worker: Social group worker must have certain essential qualities where
she/he brings harmony and co-operation between groups and the individuals on the basis of
knowledge and experience. The group worker could only implement her/his work plan on the basis
of skilled assessment which is as follows:
 Selection of group
 Obtaining maximum information about group
 Establishing purposeful relationship with the individual in the group
 Knowledge about status of an individual and analyzing group situation
 Suitable programme planning and programme implementation process
 Knowledge about the available resources within and outside the group
 Optimum utilization of agency and group resources
 Evaluating the programme

Recording in Social Group Work The Social Work Dictionary (1995) defines “recording” as the process
of putting in writing and keeping on file relevant information about the client system; the problem; the
prognosis; the intervention; the progress of treatment; the social, economic, and health factors
contributing to the situation and the procedures for termination or referral.
The social work record should also emphasize the strengths client‟s system and solutions for change. The
dictionary acknowledges that there are many types of social work recording and the type used may
depend upon factors such as agency requirements, the social worker‟s theoretical base, style and type of
intervention.

Importance of Recording in Social Group Work-

1. Records helps the group worker to understand the group
2. Help the worker to understand the group as a whole
3. Provide evidences of growth and change in the members and in the group worker himself
4. Recording help the worker to do more effective job with his groups
5. Through records the worker can see merging and changing of interests of individual members
6. Through records the worker can see the development of skills and social attitudes of members
7. Through records the worker gains knowledge of special problems in the group
8. Through records the worker can trace out the emergence of group consciousness
9. Records provide content of supervisory conferences
10. Records of the source of future planning
11. Records are the source of information for other workers
12. Records provide a permanent and continuous register of facts for the agency

Process of Case work

1) The Intake Process
The worker who meets the applicants while
carrying out the agency’s procedures for intake,
will discuss with him what him/her particularly
wants from the agency as well as what is
available those for him/her to consider both the
privileges and responsibilities of agency
membership.
Skill in Evaluation
a) The group worker must have skill in recording
the development processes that are going on
as he works with the group.
b) The group worker must be skillful in using his
records and in helping the group to review its
experiences as a means of improvement.

Communication Skills
Communication is at the heart of group work
practice. The social group worker makes use of two
broad categories of communication skills .
i) Those which are intended to facilitate
interpersonal helping.
ii) Those intended to facilitate to achieve the group
work objectives.
A number of specific skills may help the group worker
to perform his jobs more effectively.
1) Skill of Programme Planning
It is very essential that group worker must be
skillful in planning the programmes for the
group. It is also essential that the worker must
be skillful in communicating the message
around the answers of several questions. He/
She should be skillful in communicating his
own feelings to the members of the group.
Skill in Interpreting Verbal Communication
It is the job of the group worker to keep watch
on the verbal communication among the group
members because if it is not on the right track,
the group may loose its basic purpose. He/she
should always try to direct in proper direction.

Facilitation/ Moderation skills

Trecker has listed the following basic skills of social

group work.
1) Skill in Establishing Purposeful Relationship
a) The group worker must be skilful in gaining the
acceptance of the group and in relating himself
to the group on a positive professional basis.
b) The group worker must be skillful in helping
individuals in the group to accept one another
and to join with the group in common pursuits.
2) Skill in Analysing the Group Situation
a) The worker must be skillful in judging the
developmental level of the group to determine
what the level is, what the group needs and
how quickly the group can be expected to move.
This calls for skill in direct observation of groups
on a basis of analysis and judgement.
b) The group worker must be skillful in helping
the group to express ideas, work out objectives,
clarify immediate goals and see both its
potentialities and limitations as a group.
3) Skill in Participation with the Group
a) The group worker must be skillful in
determining, interpreting, assuming and
modifying his own roles with the group.
b) The group worker must be skillful in helping,
group members to participate, to locate
leadership among themselves and to take
responsibility for their own activities.
4) Skill in Dealing with Group Feeling
a) The group worker must be skilful in controlling
his own feelings about the group and must study
each new situation with a high degree of
objectivity.
b) The group worker must be skillful in helping
groups to release their own feelings, both
positive and negative. He must be skillful in
helping groups to analyze situations as part of the working through group or
intergroup
conflicts.
5) Skill in Programme Development
a) The group worker must be skillful in guiding
group thinking so that interests and needs will
be revealed and understood.
b) The group worker must be skillful in helping
groups to develop programmes, which they want
as a means through which their needs may be
met.
6) Skill in Using Agency and Community Resources
a) The group worker must be skillful in locating
and then acquainting the group with various
helpful resources which can be utilized by the
members for programme purpose.
b) The group worker must be skillful in helping
certain individual members to make use of
specialized services by means of referral that
cannot be met within the group.
7) Skill in Evaluation
a) The group worker must have skill in recording
the development processes that are going on
as he works with the group.
b) The group worker must be skillful in using his
records and in helping the group to review its
experiences as a means of improvement.
On the basis of above discussions and opinions of
different social workers on the different types of skills
essential for group work practitioners, we may list them
as follows. I) Communication Skills
Communication is at the heart of group work
practice. The social group worker makes use of two
broad categories of communication skills .
i) Those which are intended to facilitate
interpersonal helping.
ii) Those intended to facilitate to achieve the group
work objectives.
A number of specific skills may help the group worker
to perform his jobs more effectively.
1) Skill of Programme Planning
It is very essential that group worker must be
skillful in planning the programmes for the
group. It is also essential that the worker must
be skillful in communicating the message
around the answers of several questions. He/
She should be skillful in communicating his
own feelings to the members of the group.
2) Skill of Identify Self Role
It is an important step in group work practice.
The worker must convince the group for his
interfence in its affairs.
3) Skill of Explaining the Purpose of the Group
Formation and Communicate the Group
Everybody before joining the group wants to
know about the benefits of joining the group. If
he/she is satisfied, he comes forward and
become a member of that group. Therefore, the
group worker must be skillful in convincing the
people to avail the facilities of the agency by joining the group. The worker, further,
explains
how communicate in group so that the group
may advance in its goal.
4) Skill in Interpreting Verbal Communication
It is the job of the group worker to keep watch
on the verbal communication among the group
members because if it is not on the right track,
the group may loose its basic purpose. He/she
should always try to direct in proper direction.
5) Skill of Answering Question
During group process, certain questions,
queries or doubts are raised by the group
members. If they are not answered in right
perspective, the members may disassociate
themselves. Therefore, it is essential that the
social group worker has the vide knowledge of
social work as well as human behaviour.
II) Skill in Effective Helping Relationship
It is heart of social group work practice. A group
worker must genuinely care for the group members.
The relationship will be more cohesive and fruitful
if the social group worker possesses the following
skills.
1) Skill of Empathy
It refers to the worker’s capacity to perceive
accurately member’s feelings and subjective
experiences. The group worker should show in
his/her behaviour that he/she is taking
genuine interest in their welfare. It will help
in developing confidence between group worker
and the group. 2) Skill of Encouraging the Member’s Feedback
It refers to statement that encourages the
member to respond to the worker’s explanation.
This gives the members an opportunity to ask
questions and raise disagreement if any.
3) Skill of Describing the Member’s Role
This is common tendency that everybody wants
facilities, and rights but less inclined to fulfill
their duties. It is the job of the social group
worker to explain the member who is joining
the group about his role in the group. When
he/she is clear about his/her role he/she
works happily.
4) Skill of Active Listening
In active listening the worker tends to both the
member verbal and non-verbal message. The
listening become active listening when it is
followed by clarification and explanations
needed by the group members.
5) Skill of Exploring the Member’s Silence
Sometimes it happens that one or the other
members of the group keeps silence and takes
the least interest in the group activities. It is
the job of social group worker to find out the
reasons for his/her silence and encourage him/
her for active involvement.
6) Skill of Recognizing every Member’s
Strengths
It refers to expressions of confidence in the
members ability to accomplish some specific
tasks in the group process. It will help the group worker in performing different
types of activities
in the group with the help of its members and
thus the group will grow and enrich in achieving
its objectives.
7) Skill in Partialization and Gradation of the
Problem
All the problems of the group and its members
cannot be solved at once. Therefore, their
gradation and partialization is needed. Priority
should be fixed by the group worker. It will
facilitate the group process in right direction.

Assumptions Underlying Social Group

Work
It is accepted that the group attempts to achieve its
goals through the interaction of its members. So the
basic assumption is that the group organised for a given
purpose attempts to achieve this purpose by employing
their members to the best possible use. There are many
factors that can influence the interaction of the
members of a group. These factors maybe liking of
members of each other, availability of direction,
resources available, etc. A group in which members
dislike one another tend to perform less effectively their
roles than a group whose members are on friendly terms.
Douglas has drawn up a list of the basic assumptions
upon which group work practice is based. These
assumptions are:
1) That group experience is universal and an essential
part of human existence.
2) That group can be used to effect changes in the
attitudes and behaviour of individuals. 3) That group provides experiences which
can be
monitored or selected in some way for beneficial
ends. Life out side the group is in no way neglected,
it tends to be put out of focus.
4) That group offers experience shared with others so
that all can come to have something common with
the sense of belonging and of growing together.
5) That groups produce change which is more
permanent than can be achieved by other methods
and the change is obtained more quickly also.
6) That groups assist in the removal or diminution of
difficulties created by previous exposure to the
process of learning.
7) That groups as instruments of helping others may
be economical in the use of scarce resources. e.g.
skilled workers, time etc.
8) That a group can examine its own behaviour and in
so doing learn about the general patterns of group
behaviour.
In general, social group work is based on the following
basic assumptions.
1) Man is a group animal.
2) Social interaction is the result of group life.
3) Man’s achievements can be increased, changed and
developed through group experiences.
4) The capacity to solve problems may be increased
through group experiences.
5) Group experience changes the level of individual
aspirations and desires. 6) Group recreational activities are beneficial to both
individual and society.
7) Group experience has permanent impact on
individuals.
8) Group work always focus its attention on two types
of activities --- programme and social relationship in
the group.
9) Professional knowledge and skills are essential for
working with the group.
10) Knowledge of social science is required to deal with
the group.