Social Work Practice with Groups and Communities

Course content will be guided by research, empirical knowledge and best practice. The following values and principles, consistent with professional standards, inform course content.

• The application of group work knowledge is essential in all areas of the social work profession, including community organization and development, clinical practice, and committee and team work in policy-making and administrative contexts.
• Self-awareness is a prerequisite for skilled leadership and participation in groups.
• Group work is a powerful medium for growth, change, learning, and task accomplishment.
• Understanding group dynamics allows practitioners greater choice, control and flexibility in their work.
• Effective communication, counselling, consultation, and problem solving skills that are relevant to work with individuals are also relevant for work with groups.
• Use of social media and web-based communication tools to develop, recruit and facilitate group process and content are important tools for social workers.
• Effective group leaders and members are versatile and able to use a wide range of skills in response to individual and situational variables.
• Effective group leadership requires a balance of task and maintenance activity.
• All participants in a group have an opportunity and a responsibility to contribute to positive group outcomes.