Karin Crawford - Groupwork Practice for Social Workers

Karin Crawford, Marie Price and Bob Price 2015

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Library of Congress Control Number: 2014941225

British Library Cataloguing in Publication data

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

ISBN 978-1-4462-0886-1

ISBN 978-1-4462-0887-8 (pbk)

Editor: Kate Wharton

Editorial assistant: Laura Walmsley

Production editor: Katie Forsythe

Copyeditor: Jennifer Hinchliffe

Proofreader: Clare Weaver

Indexer: Laura Knox

Marketing manager: Camille Richmond

Cover design: Lisa Harper-Wells

Typeset by: C&M Digitals (P) Ltd, Chennai, India

Printed in Great Britain by Henry Ling Limited at The Dorset Press, Dorchester, DT1 1HD

In this chapter you will learn about

Groups are the basic expressions of human relationships; in them lies the greatest power of man. To try to work with them in a disciplined way is like trying to harness the power of the elements and includes the same kind of scientific thinking, as well as serious consideration of ethics. Like atomic power, groups can be harmful and helpful. To work with such power is a humbling and difficult task. (Konopka, 1963: viiviii)

Social work practitioners work with groups of people in many different ways and in many different contexts. Whilst some of the wording in the above quotation may reflect the date it was written, some fifty years ago, it powerfully reflects the complexity of challenges and opportunities that may arise in contemporary groupwork practice. This book sets out to help you, the reader, understand and develop the knowledge, skills and values that are required to practise effectively in this complex context. In exploring groupwork for social workers who work with adults and children across a whole range of needs, this book takes a generic approach.

This introductory chapter will provide you with an overview of the whole book, laying out its purpose, aims and scope through an outline of the structure, key themes and learning features. This chapter will also identify how the contents of this book are related to key national standards and requirements for social work practice and education. As an introduction to your learning across the book, this chapter can be likened to a course induction process. Given the significance of language, terminology and discourse to how we understand and interpret the world around us, in order to inform your studies through the book, this chapter also includes discussion about the different definitions and understanding of the terms group and groupwork.

Despite the acknowledged complexity and powerful opportunities offered through effective groupwork, there has been recognition over a number of years that this aspect of practice is at times perceived as marginal, out-of-date (Doel and Sawden, 1999) and of less value or importance than other aspects of practice, particularly those underpinned by procedural and managerial drivers (Preston-Shoot, 2007). It is our intention through this text to further your understanding of the value of working with groups and thereby to raise the profile of groupwork practice as one of many aspects of effective professional social work intervention. By engaging with the materials in this book you will be able to develop your knowledge, skills and values for groupworking in the complex interprofessional care and support environment. Throughout the chapters there is an emphasis on the experience of group members and how they can fully and meaningfully participate in all aspects of the group process. This chapter summarises how the two parts of this book address theoretical, practical and methodological concerns, alongside thematic foci on empowerment, user participation and professional development.