INTRODUCTION
The group has played a vital role in the development of individuals. It is the group where emergence of interpersonal relations become possible. The family, the play mates the classfellows,the neighbourhood are the collection of human beings which constitute groups in which man lives during the early period of childhood, According to Gillin and Gillin,’A social group grows out of and require a situation which permits meaningful inter-stimulation and meaningful response between the individuals involved,common stimuli and interests and the development of certain common drives,motivations or emotions’.It has been assumed that the social group work is oriented towards the progress of and entire group.Individual is a member of a group as such individual progress is linked with his group Progress.
The following are some of the notable definitions of social group work.
Group work is a method of social work practice by which individuals are served within and through small face to face groups, in order to solve their problems and bring about desired changes at the individual, group and community level.It recognises the strength of social forces that are generated within small groups and seeks to mobilize them for change in the client.The practioner consciously guides the composition development and processes of the group for accomplishing his goals for each individual each individual member and group as a whole.He is thus constantly operating at two levels-the clients as an individual and group as social system whose influence can be utilized to develop client abilities,modify self-images and perspectives,resolve clients and inculcate new patterns of behavior.
DEFINITION FOR SOCIAL GROUP WORK
Some of the views expressed by the social workers about the group work to understand systematically.
COYLE
Social group work aims at the development of persons through the interplay of personalities in group situations, and at the creation of such group situations as provide for integrated, co-operative group action for common ends.
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF GROUP WORKERS
Group work is a method by which the group worker enables various types of groups to function in such a way that both group interaction and programme activities contribute to the growth of the individual and achievement of desirable social goals.
HAMILTON
Social group work is a psycho-social process which is concerned no less than with developing leadership ability and cooperation than with building on the interests of the group for a social purpose.
TRECKER H.B.
Social group work is method through which individuals in group in social agency settings are helped by a worker who guides their interaction in programme activities so that they may relate themselves to others and experiences growth opportunities in accordance with their needs and capacities to the end of the individual, group and community development.
KONOPKA
Social group work is a method of social work which helps individual to enhance their social functioning through purposeful group experiences and to cope more effectively with their personal, group or community problems.
ANALYSIS OF THE DEFINITIONS
Newsletter has mentioned social group work as an educational process and this method is used by voluntary associations to help individuals to achieve social goals. But social group work is not only an educational process, it is a service.The objectives of the group work is not only achieved by voluntary associations but both types of associations;public and private use social group work method. Grace coyle in her first definition talks of personality development through the process of group activities.In her second definition she included the workers role as to develop social responsibilities both among group members.
The most appropriate and complete definition of social group work has been given by Trecker.We find the main following characteristics of his definition.
1. Social group work is a method
2. Individuals helped through groups and in social Agency settings.
3. The role of the worker is to guide interaction process
4. The purpose of social group work is to provide experience,
growth opportunities for development
5. Group work is practiced with the group.
6. Based on humanitarian philosophy.
7. To know the individuals status of an individual with his group.
8. To obtain maximum information about the group.
OBJECTIVES OF SOCIAL GROUP WORK
When we use the word ‘Objectives’ we refer to what we are trying to accomplish. Here our objectives are statements or formulations of what we are trying to do in group work. Objectives are not merely goals; they are motivating forces for action and we move toward them or retreat by concerted action. The objectives should be clear because they help the worker in the determination of the kinds of programmes need for the fulfillment of the group goals. They provide the guidance through which the group worker proceeds in his mission.
The group worker enables various types of groups to function in such a way that both group interaction and programme activities contribute to the growth of the individual and the achievement of desirable social goals.
According to Wilson and Ryland, Social group work has two objectives
1. To help individuals use groups to further their development
into emotionally balanced, intellectually free and physically fit persons
2. To help groups to \achieve ends desirable in the
economic,political and social Democracy.
Konopka has mentioned the following objectives of group work method.
· Individualization;It helps the individual to free himself while being helped to interact with his fellowmen.
· Development of sense of belonging.
· A basic development of the capacity to participate.
· Increase of the capacity to contribute to decisions on grounds of rational thinking and through group deliberation.
· Increased respect for differences among people.
· Development of warm and accepting social climate.
Heap has mentioned different objectives on the basis of the type of groups.
Ø Some social work groups aim primarily at alleviating social isolation.Such groups have the preventive function of reducing the debilitating effects of isolation,as well as more creative purposes of life enrichment and increasing self-esteem.This is a common aim of work with the aged and infirm,handicapped and psychiatric patients.
Ø Another aim is that of orientating and preparing people for new experiences which may arouse uncertainty,disorientation or fear.Such cases are the predischarge group prison inmates or psychiatric patients,intake groups in mental hospitals and childrens hospitals.
Ø Other groups are mainly intended to contribute to the social learning and maturation of people who encounter obstacles to normal social growth and development.This kind of social group work is most often found in the youth service and maladjustment children.
Ø Another aim of social work with groups in that of solving problems.
Ø It aims at solving specific environmental problems which effect the group members
Conclusion
The relationship between worker and group is based on acceptance.The basic function of social group worker is to direct interaction process of the group. He watches the activities and the behaviour of every member of the group. He keeps his eyes on members participation, its frequency, time duration, order of participation international level meaning of activities to the group member.On the basis of this knowledge he provides adequate opportunities to each member for his proper growth and development.
Social work is a method. Social group worker helps the group to organize such types of activities through which group members increase their capacities for participation, belonging, decision-making, responsibility,-taking and adjustment themselves.They avail opportunities for their growth and development.Democratic principles are followed in group work activities.
Scope and Different models of Social Group Work
Three trends that are receiving increasing emphasis are more to
§ MANAGED CARE AND TIME
§ DEVELOPMENT OF TECHNOLOGY and
§ PRESSURE TO DEVELOP EFFECTIVE PRCTICE MODELS
These trends represent challenges and opportunities to group workers, particularly those working in treatment and community settings.
MANAGED CARE AND TIME
Market driven services delivery may represent the signal greatest challenge to social work increasing social workers of all types are being asked to make do with less. At the same time although group workers report being discouraged by having to cope with these changes, there is growing recognition that groups can play an increased role in the managed care environment.
PROGRAMMATIC OPPORTUNITIES
Programmatic strategies have been created by group workers to respond to pressure from the managed care market. When groups are the primary service option, as is the case in some managed care programs, pressures exist to compose group based on client availability than optional characteristics.
Another challenge for managed case based group work lies in the fact that reimbursement (particularly insurance).
E g: individuals and families in extreme poverty, children in school system…..have little or no access to insurance driven service and many group types (i. e recreational, prevention or community action group) have limited potential for reimbursement.
SHORT TERM AND BRIEF MODEL
Social psychologists are increasing their study of technology –based groups. Especially relevant to the development of practice theory are the concepts of social presence and social impact. Other aspects of computes groups are receiving greater attention such as aspects of group development, social support, communication employer within the organizations and to connect organization and communities with one another.
Task completion, team decision making and problem solving are examples of this application of technology.
ADDITIONAL TECHNOLOGICAL FORMAT
Other techniques of computer and telephones, other forms of technology link people together.
E g: voice mail groups for people with severe and persistent mental illness have been described by Craig (1997). As technology is further advanced and becomes less expensive to use. Visual images of participants may be used in conjunction with the telephone and computer, audio effects may be linked to computers and other technological format will undoubtedly be developed for group work practice.
So technology has a great influence in group work which helps to reduce the work load.
CURRICULUM BASED MODELS
The literature increasingly contains description of curriculum based group models such as those for families with adult member with severe mental illness, families of children with disorders, elderly population and their care takers, families of color, children in press and population with HIV/AIDS.
ADDITIONAL POINTS
Trained group worker using his best skills and techniques become acquainted and friendly with young people who are “tough and unreachable”.
Use volunteers are trained by social group workers to deal with clients, patients and others who are receiving help in various kinds of agencies and institutional settings.
SCOPE OF SOCIAL GROUP WORK
The scope of group work can be considered in to two dimensions. Firstly in its role in traditional programs 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 groups are work practice in most of the traditional settings. The potentialities of groups are recognized and served new and expanded services are being offered which make use of the small group.
Institutional and non institutional services can be realigned 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 approach is most invaluable in providing in the sense of belonging and the accelerated learning that occurs within the group. Problems of poverty and lack of resources combined with interpersonal and interpersonal tensions can be so overwhelming that sharing these with others and seeking solutions jointly in groups is a method of problem solving. Group work method can be most advantageously used to achieve India’s developmental objectives through program of health, family welfare, education, community development and housing to mention a few. This will demand a reconceptualisation of both group theory and programs. Hence, an orientation in group work should be given to students in schools of social work and to personnel in voluntary and government agency.
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 the programs in the country implementation which is done by voluntary and governmental agencies and further possibilities of new programs. Only then can practitioners meaningfully grasp the contribution of group work to the programs like integrated rural development, integrated child development, family planning and the national adult education programs.