Social Work Practice and Skills Lab II: Working with Small Groups

Singapore University of Social Sciences

Social Work Practice and Skills Lab II: Working with Small Groups (SWK292)

Synopsis

The second Practice and Skills Lab emphasizes the application of the strengths-based, planned change, generalist model to practice with a variety of small groups, including task groups, treatment groups, support groups, and educational groups. As in Social Work Practice and Skills Lab I, self-awareness, ethics, and cultural competence will continue to be emphasized. Tutorial sessions function as a skills laboratory in which students learn from role playing, observations, audiovisuals, and discussion of examples drawn from child and family services, health care, youth work, and community development settings.

Level: 2
Credit Units: 10
Presentation Pattern: EVERY REGULAR SEMESTER

Topics

Overview of groupwork
Theories on group dynamics
Theories and modeld og group leadership
Multicultural groupwork:self help groups
Planning the group
Beginning stage of a group
Assessment
Treatment groups:Foundation methods
Treatment groups: Specialized methods
Task groups: Foundation methods
Task groups: Specialized methods
Evaluation
Ending the group's work
Overview of group work(definition, classification, history and ethical principles)

Learning Outcome

Explain major theories about group dynamics and leadership.
Discuss major models of group work (social goals model, remedial model, and the reciprocal model) in social work.
Examine commonly encountered ethical issues in group work practice and learn factors to consider in resolving ethical dilemmas.
Apply different modes of recording and writing in group work.
Develop communication skills and relationship building skills with small groups.
Describe the helping process in the strengths-based, generalist planned change model (engagement, assessment, planning, intervention, evaluation, and termination) to work with small groups.
Compare group facilitation skills in conducting treatment, support, educational, and task groups
Employ group work skills to various populations in a variety of settings.
Analyze racial, ethnic, class, gender, religious, linguistic, and cultural diversity in working with small groups.
Outline the practical use of groups for social change
Illustrate the contribution of a group work practice to human rights
Discuss power issues in groupwork and individual practice