Saulo, Therese Martine S.

Social Work Practice with Groups (SW C18)

BSSW 3A Ma’am Franciosa S. Ballard, RSW, MSSW

1. Discuss the differences and similarities involved in the planning and implementing of
procedures between group work and casework.
Social group work and casework are processes used by certain human welfare
agencies to help individuals and groups to cope more effectively with their problems in
social functioning.
On the other hand, when a worker views each member only as an individual and
who applies individual personality theories without appreciating or understanding the
impact of such concepts as group, is obviously practicing casework. Similarly, the worker
who allots time to each individual group member, in turn, to talk about progress on issues
of concern, and who does not maximize group interaction and mutual aid, practices
casework rather than social group work.
Social group work requires the worker to engage and consider the group as a
whole first, individual participants as second when initiating or responding to others.
What distinguishes social group work from casework is an emphasis on the
commonalities of problems and situations and the associated commonality of feelings to
which they give rise

2. Propose a social group work of your interest following Zastrow’s stages of groups. In
your propose group work, clearly lay out on paper the step by step process of each stages
of your group development.
1. INTAKE
A group of out-of-school youth who wants to study again are formed with 7 members as
follows:

HIGHEST EDUCATIONAL
NAME GENDER AGE
ATTAINMENT
Luther Male 17 Elementary Graduate
Diego Male 17 Elementary Graduate
Allison Female 17 High School Level
Klaus Male 17 Elementary Graduate
Five Male 17 High School Level
Ben Male 17 High School Level
Vanya Female 17 Elementary Graduate

2. SELECTION OF MEMBERS
The group is composed of five males, and two females, all members are 17 years
old. Four of them are elementary graduate and the remaining three have reached high
school level. This group is formed for the reason that members are experiencing a
dysfunction, and that they are out-of-school youth who wants to study again but are
afraid to do so because of personal, and economic factors.
3. ASSESSMENT AND PLANNING
The group of Out-of-School Youth (OSY) were mostly male that have a common
problem. The lack of resources or means in attaining their everyday needs and
financial difficulty are seen as hindrances in pursuing education. Teenage pregnancy
was also a seen factor why the clienteles are no longer attending school. The
educational attainment of the clienteles and the family members was also seen as a
barrier for them to have a well-paying job to provide for their family.
The plan is to conduct a group gathering so that each member of the group will be
familiar, and to feel motivated on pursuing their education for which they feel that
they are not alone. In the said session, each member will get to know each other.
4. GROUP DEVELOPMENT AND INTERVENTION
Pre-affiliation
During this stage, the social worker will introduce the members to each other
to build the initial relationship amongst the members.
Power and Control
The worker will help the youths on what their roles are in the said group, and
on how their roles help of affect each members.

Intimacy
 As the members of the group become comfortable with each members, they
will eventually open-up to each other and provide their support and experiences
on how they are dealing with such situation.
Differentiation
In this stage of development, the group is already near on reaching their goal,
in spite of the problems that may arise during this stage.
Separation
The group have restored their self-esteem, and now confident in attending
school again. And that they have reached their goals.
5. EVALUATION AND TERMINATION
Evaluation is being conducted throughout the process to gauge the
improvement of the group towards their goals. Once the group goals and
individual goals are attained that is that they are confident on going back to
school, termination of the relationship is sought.