Page 1 of 14
Journal for Studies in Management and Planning
Available at http://internationaljournalofresearch.org/index.php/JSMaP
e-ISSN: 2395-0463
Volume 01 Issue 03
April 2015
Available online: http://internationaljournalofresearch.org/ P a g e | 561
Social Work with Group: An Empowering Approach
for Solving Human Problems
Mohd. Shakil
Research Scholar, Department of Social Work, A.M.U., Aligarh.
Available at: shakilmswamu@gmail.com
Abstract:
Social learning is a pre-requisite to the
changes that is inevitably involved in
problem solving process. Change in
individual, group or community depends
upon their capacity to learn about new facts,
attitudes and ways of behaving in differently
particular circumstances. Problems are the
needs which are not adequately met out by
the needs-meeting facilities of our society.
An apparent imbalance is seen in the
person’s relationship with the world around.
In this regard, Social work with group is a
professional service that aims to work
generally with the normal people to develop,
enhance and strengthen their social
functioning and capacities to establish and
maintain their positive relationships with
others. Professionally, Social work has its
two methods to intervene the problems of
people which are primary method and
secondary method. Social group work is a
part of primary method of social work
profession that works with individuals in
group. The perspective that is informed in
this paper is to make social group work
practice more effective based on scientific
knowledge and professional skills. Thus, in
the discourse of social work profession, this
paper attempts to provide a linear
understanding about social group work
practice professionally. The paper is divided
into seven parts. The first part deals with the
introduction of social group work
profession. The second part presents a view
on the historical context and dynamics of
social group work profession. The third part
describes the significant roles of
professional group worker. The fourth part
focuses upon the empowering methods of
intervention. The fifth part presents the
professional skills in social group work. The
sixth part deals with the social group work
models. Finally, the last part presents the
principles of social group work along with
conclusion.
Page 2 of 14
Journal for Studies in Management and Planning
Available at http://internationaljournalofresearch.org/index.php/JSMaP
e-ISSN: 2395-0463
Volume 01 Issue 03
April 2015
Available online: http://internationaljournalofresearch.org/ P a g e | 562
Key Words: Social group work,
Dynamics, Methods, Skills, Models and
Principles.
Introduction:
Social work is a practice oriented,
professional and academic discipline that
seeks to improve the quality of life and well- being of individuals, groups and
communities employing scientific
knowledge and skills. Its practice is
processed through primary and secondary
methods. Social work with group is a part of
primary method of social work. The
humanistic method of social work with
group embodies the values and practices of
social group work’s heritage and the social
work profession. As a group approach, the
humanistic method is used to assist clients
with their preventive, rehabilitative and
developmental goals. The humanistic group
work method is employed by human service
professionals such as psychologists,
psychiatrists, mental health workers, child
welfare staff, activities and rehabilitation
therapists, nurses, and special educators who
assist people in attaining effectiveness and
change in their interpersonal relationships
and circumstances. The groups are currently
run for victims of trauma or frail elderly
persons, for persons with Alzheimer’s
disease and groups for their caretakers,
school children’s groups, substance abuse
treatment groups, groups in mental health
treatment and developmental disabilities,
groups in HIV/AIDS. These groups thrive in
hospitals, residential treatment settings,
continuing day treatment programs, schools,
settlement houses, and senior centers
(Glassman, 2009).
Social work with group is ever an
expanding area of practice. It is a unique,
exiting, and dynamic way to assist people
for making the changes in their lives that
they themselves dream for. As distinct from
the related social work methods of casework
and community organization, social group
work concentrates primarily on providing
group experiences to meet normal
developmental needs, to help for preventing
social breakdown, to facilitate corrective and
rehabilitative goals, and to encourage a
citizen’s involvement and responsible social
action. Characteristically, group work
services involve small groups of members
coming together with a “worker” on a more
or less regular basis, usually as participants
in a social agency or institution. Groups vary
in size and composition. Participants include
persons of all ages, races, and social classes
joining together in natural as well as formed
Page 3 of 14
Journal for Studies in Management and Planning
Available at http://internationaljournalofresearch.org/index.php/JSMaP
e-ISSN: 2395-0463
Volume 01 Issue 03
April 2015
Available online: http://internationaljournalofresearch.org/ P a g e | 563
groups. Group work is based on many
conceptual foundations. Its values can be
traced to ethical and religious beliefs rooted
in the Judeo-Christian tradition; to the
humanitarian movement, which found
expression in the early settlement
movement; and to the core of social work
values and philosophy, which have evolved
out of a long tradition of service to people
(Alissi, 2003).
Group work practice is based on a
concept of man as a constantly developing
human being in necessary and significant
interaction with other men. He is shaped by
others and is shaping others. He presents an
inseparable unit of physical, mental and
emotional forces, again in interaction with
others. Development does not cease with
childhood but continues all through the life
cycle. The basic needs beyond the biological
ones are the needs to belong, to be an
important individual and to participate. In
the life cycle these needs must be fulfilled in
a variety of changing small group
associations. These associations have
specific characteristics in different age
periods. At each stage of development
individuals must find fulfillment through
qualitative group associations or they will be
damaged in one way or another. No
individual goes through the life cycle
without some damage. Human beings have
various capacities to deal with
dissatisfactions and frustrations on their
own. They need help at different stages of
their development with their developmental
task or with overcoming hurdles to them
(Konopka, 1963).
The Historical Context and
Dynamics:
Social group work is as old as social work
itself. The group work approach emerged in
the late nineteenth century as social work
was taking initial steps to define its role and
to gain recognition as a new profession.
Together with social casework, group work
was quickly recognized as an effective
method of responding to human needs and
of fostering social functioning. The
Settlement House Movement played a
critical role in the evolution and formulation
of group work as a recognized method of
social work. Indeed, the historical
development of social work with group is
rooted in the historical evolution of the
United States and other western democratic
countries. It conveys many of the values of
society, such as democratic process and
respecting and valuing the uniqueness of
each individual. It makes use of the small
