Name: Archie Mae N.

Sarol
Section: A

Group Case Analysis:

In a small urban squatter area at Barangay Cabantian, Cebu City, the

community is facing complex problems caused by their out-of-school youths.
A group of out-of-school youths were reportedly engaged in riot, robbery and
illegal drug trade. The main sources of income in the community are working
as laborer in the construction sites and banana plantation companies.
Using Margaret Hartford’s phases of group development and the Helping
Process for Social Group work, please explain the process of addressing the
community problems by means of organizing a group in the community (100
pts).

1. Pre-group Phase
a) Private Pre-group Phase
There is a problem exist in the community of Barangay Cabantian Cebu
city caused by the out-of-school youths. At this phase there is already an
existing idea in the mind of the social worker to organize a group in order
to mediate specific plans that can best help the social situations of the
out-of-school youth in the said barangay and to mitigate and end street
crimes they used to make.
b) Public Pre-Group Phase
In this phase the decision to form a group is now being known to public.
The out-of-school youth of brgy. Cabantian is now aware of the
implementation of group work. Their attention, availability and interest is
being called out as they are the target of this task. The possible
participants are being communicated about the he membership, the
goals and the content or activities of the group. It is also during this phase
that they get to decide if they want to be a part of the group or not.
c) Convening Phase
Those out-of-school youths who decided to participate finally meet and
discusses expectations of the group for the first time. The worker and the
participants approach each other and try to understand the possibilities
of working out an agreement between them. This stage is more on
talking and sharing hence this is important for the worker as it helps them
to know the group better, and make appropriate plans for the
intervention. However, it is also during this time that withdrawal from
some participants happen.
2. Group Formation Phase
Group goals and roles develop during this phase, such that each person
tries to find their place in the group. The worker begins to establish
relationship with the group members and helps the group to start its
program. At this time the out-of-school youth participants are given the
opportunity to express their thoughts and feelings about the crimes they
committed and what influence them to such thing. The worker then
understands the perspectives and experiences of each members of the
group. Then the worker will take the lead to formulate and set group
goals and activities that are significant to the groups development.

In the case of the out-of-school youths at Barangay Cabantian, Cebu

City there should be 4 appropriate goals to be achieve.
 To reeducate group members in order for them to discontinue
engaging in street crimes, to be drug –free and able to shun the
influence of street peers.
 Communicates and relates positively with, and has a sense of
belonging to their respective family.
 To acquire plans for pursuing formal education and vocational
training.
 To develop positive values and attitudes which the members
need to be able to deal with varied problems that may come in
the future.
The worker and the group have to agree on plans responsive to the
problems they have identified, the strategies, tasks, and activities to be
undertaken and the time frame for achieving these objectives.

3. The Group Integration, Disintegration or Reintegration

Group members are integrated together and may find that they are not
as interested in the group or do not like the other group members as
much and thus conflict occurs. If conflict is not dealt with, the group can
disintegrate. If the social worker can continue to focus on the group
goals even if they are redefined, the group can reintegrate again.

Sessions 3,4
At the duration of attaining the goals and undertaking the activities to
be done expect that there may come conflicts between the
participants. During the group activity there will be members who will
want certain things to be different from the way they are. In this phase
problem solving, task achievement, and problem reduction take place.
 Priority Target Problems
 The out-of-school youth are subject to street crimes.
 The out-of-school youth lacks education and training.
 The out-of-school youth are forced to labor with insufficient
income.

Group Member’s Tasks

 Obtain understanding about the consequences and legal
punishments of committing street crimes.
 Seek support and funding from government institutions in order to
enroll in secondary or tertiary education. Or to even enroll on
trainings and seminars to improve skills and get accreditations.
 Plan alternative action on how to be effectively employed in
bigger industry and to enhance self-knowledge about adequate
living and income.

Social Worker’s Task

 Provide emotional support to each of the group members and
facilitate access to resources necessary to the success of their
tasks.
 Guide and help the group members to handle their situations and
discuss with them the strategies that they need to do and make
appropriate suggestions regarding the task and activities they are
taking up with. Also to be patient with each of the members and
to respect their dignity and diversity.

4. Group Functioning and Maintenance Phase

The team will probably settle in to finish its work. The group's culture, style,
customs, and behaviors are established during this phase. Members are
more open and attentive to one another because they have a sense of
belonging. The team has a general sense of alignment and order
among its members. The worker utilizes instructions, modeling, role play,
rehearsal and prompting to assist client in his progress.
Sessions 5,6
The group members worked together effectively in enhancing and
attending towards areas that needed attention. The social worker held
a follow up sessions with the members and help them reflect on their
feelings and thoughts about their task and general development. The
worker also clarifies objectively the youth’s strength and limitations and
how they can be sustained in their desire to change. Each session ended
with clients consolidating their gains and progress.
5. Termination Phase
In social work contexts group work has an ending and may end because
the group has completed its tasks, a time limit is up, too many members
have left or when social worker has left.

A. Pre-termination – acknowledging that group is going to end and

preparing for this to happen.

The social worker will inform and discuss with the group members the
readiness for termination as they are done with their tasks and goals are
successfully achieved. Review the course of action plan with the youths
and emphasize to them their role in affecting and maintaining change.
Also the worker will warn them against the danger of engaging again
into street crimes and not valuing education.
B. Termination – the actual ending which can be symbolized by a
closing ceremony, party.

The youth is ready to terminate the group work. They are happy and
satisfied for their improvements. They gather for the final session and the
worker express his/her gratitude to the youth of Barangay Cabantian,
Cebu City for their utmost participation and coordination and their
willingness to learn and change.

C. Post-termination – follow-up with members if applicable for the group

and/or individual.

There is a need for the members to continue to maintain contact with

the worker for continued assistance for the maintenance of the
functional equilibrium. The frequency of such follow-up sessions is based
upon individual circumstances, and can increase or decrease
depending upon the need. The worker will point out the future and
assure the youth that they can come back if they feel the need to.