Singapore University of Social Sciences

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

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
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