Types of Groups

Question 1

Evidence-Based Practice

Answer 1

“the integration of the best research evidence with clinical expertise and patient (client) values. … integration of factors such as scientific knowledge, the social worker’s experiment and judgement, and the client’s preferences, values, and circumstances. …”

Question 2

Intersecting areas of Social Work practice

Answer 2

• Individuals & Families
• Groups
• Communities

Question 3

Self-Help Groups

Answer 3

• No professional facilitators

- Focus on members supporting each other

Question 4

Educational Groups

Answer 4

• Focus on education

- 1 or 2 social workers facilitators assist the group

Question 5

Support/ Therapeutic Groups

Answer 5

• Focus on specific issues

- 1 or 2 social work facilitators assist the group

Question 6

Social Action Groups

Answer 6

• focus on broader social issues

- Social workers can be asked to be members and/ or facilitate a social action group

Question 7

Task Groups

Answer 7

• Task groups focus on accomplishing an assignment.
• In some task groups social workers will be asked to facilitate the group.
• In some task groups social workers will be members of the group

Question 8

Theory-Informed Social Work practice

Answer 8

Group considerations = purpose, type, social work skills, ongoing work in groups

Question 9

Challenging Behaviours in Groups

Answer 9

• Principles that assist social workers who facilitate groups:
• Use your social work skills
• Create group norms
• Use self reflective practice
• Prepare before, monitor during, and reflect after group
• Know when and why you deal with issues that arise in group OR chose to “ignore” behaviours.
• Support your co-facilitator
• Continue to grow professionally in group work facilitation