THE HELPING

PROCESS IN SOCIAL
WORK WITH GROUPS
GELLICA, MARK LLOYD FABRIGAS, ROELA
The generics of social work is the use of
the systematic helping process which
means the following steps:

• Assessment (Study and Problem

Definition)
• Action Planning
• Plan Implementation
• Evaluation, and Termination.

20XX Pitch Deck 2

 THE SOCIAL WORKER PERFORMS DIFFERENT
TASKS AND ACTIVITIES AS HE GOES ABOUT HIS
ROLE AS A HELPING PERSON DURING THE LIFE
OF THE GROUP.

THE EXPECTATION IS THAT HIS PRESENCE IN

THE GROUP - AS IT GOES THROUGH THE
DIFFERENT PHASES OF ITS OWN DEVELOPMENT
- WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

20XX Pitch Deck 3

PRE-GROUP FORMATION
ACTIVITIES OF THE
SOCIAL WORKER
1. CONCEPTUALIZING
THE GROUP SERVICE

Usually an agency social worker would take the

initiative of suggesting that the agency start a group
program. Sometimes, however, it is somebody
outside of the social agency who makes a program
proposal. Regardless of the source of the idea what
is important is that there is clarity of purpose behind
the program as this will serve as the basic guide for
both the agency/ worker and the group.

20XX Pitch Deck 5

A concept paper or a program proposal is then
usually prepared which would contain the
following:

a) Rationale/purpose of the group program

b) Target client
c) The need/problem to be addressed
d) Membership criteria
e) Resource requirements (staff, space, equipment)
f) Procedures for setting up the program; and
g) Time frame.

20XX Pitch Deck 6

THE CONCEPTUALIZING PROCESS
INVOLVED IS NOT UNLIKE WHAT A
REPORTER GOES THROUGH IN
REPORTING A PIECE OF NEWS - HE
MUST ANSWER THE QUESTION OF
WHAT, WHY, WHO, WHEN AND
WHERE .
20XX Pitch Deck 7
THE NEW PROGRAM WOULD USUALLY
BE ANNOUNCED THROUGH AN OFFICE
MEMORANDUM (TO WHICH THE
CONCEPT PAPER OR PROPOSAL MAY
BE ATTACHED), OR PRESENTED IN A
STAFF MEETING.

20XX Pitch Deck 8

THE STATEMENT OF THE PURPOSE OF
THE GROUP PROGRAM. WHICH IS
PERHAPS THE MOST IMPORTANT
ASPECT OF THE CONCEPTUALIZATION
EFFORT, SHOULD EMANATE FROM THE
AGENCY'S PURPOSE OR FUNCTION.

20XX Pitch Deck 9

FOR EXAMPLE:

AN AGENCY ESTABLISHED IN ORDER TO

HELP REHABILITATE FORMER INSURGENTS
MAY WANT TO SET UP A GROUP PROGRAM
TO PROVIDE INSURGENTS WITH AN
OPPORTUNITY FOR GUIDED GROUP
ACTIVITIES TO HELP THEM DEAL WITH
THEIR CONCERNS AND PROBLEMS.
20XX Pitch Deck 10
THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE
AND DEVELOPMENT (DSWD).

- PREVENTIVE, REMEDIAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRAMS IN ITS

NUMEROUS WELFARE SETTINGS.

- A PARTICULAR GROUP PROGRAM'S PURPOSE, SUCH AS WHETHER

IT IS MAINLY FOR "TREATMENT" OR "DEVELOPMENT."

20XX Pitch Deck 11

THE AGENCY PURPOSE FOR A
GROUP PROGRAM SERVES AS ITS
GUIDE IN IDENTIFYING THE CLIENT
SECTOR TO BE SERVED,
( CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS,
MOTHERS, ETC .) AND WHAT
UNMET NEED OR PROBLEM
SHOULD BE ADDRESSED.

20XX Pitch Deck 12

THE FOLLOWING ILLUSTRATE THIS PROCESS:

AGENCY AGENCY GROUP PROSPECRTIVE MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA

PURPOSE/FUNCTION PROGRAM PURPOSE MEMBERS

AGENCY A
A government – To facilitate and help in Selected residents who All residents qualify if
sponsored residential the rehabilitation of have been in the 1) At least one month in
institution for the former prisoners now institution for at least residence and 2)
rehabilitation of former staying in the institution one month and have experiencing adjustment
prisoners. but have difficulty expressed or been problems.
adjusting to their new observed to have
environment because of adjustment problem,
personal and/or e.g. relationship, dealing
community-related with chores, returning to
factors. the family/community,
and finding a job.

20XX Pitch Deck 13

AGENCY AGENCY GROUP PROSPECRTIVE MEMBERSHIP
PURPOSE/FUNCTIO PROGRAM PURPOSE MEMBERS CRITERIA
N

AGENCY B
A privately To mobilize the Out-of-school youth Out-of-school youth
sponsored youth for projects whose families have male and female,
Community Center that will result in just recently settled age 15- 21, willing
established to their self- in the area. to participate in
provide improvement and weekly for self and
development which will also community
programs for benefit the improvement.
residents in the community.
newly-opened
resettlement area.

20XX Pitch Deck 14

AGENCY AGENCY GROUP PROSPECRTIVE MEMBERSHIP
PURPOSE/FUNCTIO PROGRAM PURPOSE MEMBERS CRITERIA
N

AGENCY C
The government To help women Female residents in Female, age 18-40,
public welfare realize their the community unemployed, single
agency’s Bureau for potentials and particularly from or married, can
Women’s Concerns capabilities in order low-income attend weekly two
to help improve the to have a better families. hour group sessions
life conditions of quality of life for in the agency in
women and their themselves and order to learn how
families. their families, and to improve their life
become contributing situations.
members of their
communities.

20XX Pitch Deck 15

THE CRITERIA FOR MEMBERSHIP
CAN BE STATED IN SPECIFIC OF
IN GENERAL TERMS, DEPENDING
ON WHAT THE AGENCY PLANS
TO DO.

20XX Pitch Deck 16

AGENCY AGENCY GROUP PROSPECRTIVE MEMBERSHIP
PURPOSE/FUNCTION PROGRAM PURPOSE MEMBERS CRITERIA

AGENCY C
The national To provide interested Women from low- Female, 18-40 of age,
government public women in the income families will community resident,
welfare agency’s community with the be given priority (but preferably has
Bureau for Women’s opportunity to acquire open to all women in experienced
concerns established assertiveness skills in the community who harassment or abuse
to help improve the order to prevent their want to learn related to being a
life conditions of exploitation by others assertiveness skills). woman: Interested in
women in the and help them find learning how to
community. fulfillment in their become more
various social roles assertive in
(wife, mother, interpersonal
employee, citizen). relationships; can
attend weekly 2-hr.
sessions for 10 weeks.
20XX Pitch Deck 17
2. ANNOUNCING THE GROUP SERVICE
AND RECRUITING MEMBERS

Written announcements can be posted in strategic

places in the community, e.g., in the community
center, parish hall, barangay hall, agency waiting
room, health center, etc. The announcement should
be brief but clear and should mention the purpose of
the program, who may apply, where to make inquiries,
etc. Visits can be made with barangay. youth and
women leaders, etc. to explain the program and
recruit potential members.
20XX Pitch Deck 18
FOR EXAMPLE,

THE 15 RESIDENTS WITH THE MOST

PROBLEMATIC BEHAVIOR
MANIFESTATIONS WHOM HE WILL
INTERVIEW FOR THE PURPOSE OF
CHOOSING MAYBE SEVEN MEMBERS FOR
THE GROUP BEING FORMED.

20XX Pitch Deck 19

3. PREPARING LOGISTICS

Logistical support for a group program would include

personnel (e.g., the assignment of a regular worker to
the group, and of administrative staff who are "on call"
should their help be needed; facilities (e.g.. the
agency should provide a regular venue for group
meetings, allow the use of other agency facilities when
needed), and materials (e.g.. play therapy materials,
audio-visual aids, reporting forms).

20XX Pitch Deck 20

4. ENLISTING COMMUNITY SUPPORT

• Pre-group planning should include identification of

those sectors in the community whose support is
essential to program success.

• There are hardly any agency programs in the country

today that can be maintained without having to tap
existing community resources.

20XX Pitch Deck 21

WILL THE FOCUS OF THE HELPING
EFFORTS BE ONLY ON THE MEMBERS OF
THE GROUP, OR CAN IT EXTEND TO THEIR
FAMILIES?
IF GROUP PROBLEM- SOLVING CALLS FOR
ACTION THAT WILL INVOLVE ADDRESSING
OTHER COMMUNITY ISSUES, WILL THE
WORKER'S AGENCY PROVIDE SUPPORT?

20XX Pitch Deck 22

INDIVIDUAL-FOCUSED
ASSESSMENT AND
PLANNING
GELLICA, MARK LLOYD FABRIGAS, ROELA
ASSESSMENT IS ALSO TERMED "SOCIAL
STUDY" AND "DIAGNOSIS" IN THE SOCIAL
WORK LITERATURE. IT INVOLVES
INFORMATION-GATHERING AND ANALYSIS
TOWARDS AN UNDERSTANDING AND
CONSEQUENTLY A DEFINITION OF THE
NEED OR PROBLEM OF THE CLIENT.

20XX Pitch Deck 24

IN SOCIAL WORK WITH GROUPS,
ASSESSMENT AND ACTION- PLANNING
ARE GENERALLY UNDERTAKEN FIRST
WITH THE PROSPECTIVE GROUP
MEMBERS INDIVIDUALLY, AND THEN
WITH THE GROUP AS A WHOLE.

20XX Pitch Deck 25

PRE-GROUP
INTERVIEWS/INTAKE
• Prospective members of a group are usually interviewed
by the social worker prior to group formation. The
interview may be a private, one-on-one type of meeting,
or with a group of other prospective participants.

• Treatment-oriented group programs generally involve

individual interviews

20XX Pitch Deck 26

IN SOME CASES, SUCH AS WHEN A NEW
GROUP PROGRAM IS BEING ORGANIZED IN
AN INSTITUTION THAT HAS BEEN
HOUSING CLIENTS, INFORMATION MAY
ALREADY BE AVAILABLE ON THE
PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS.

20XX Pitch Deck 27

THE FOLLOWING ARE USUALLY DISCUSSED DURING
THESE PRE-GROUP FORMATION INTERVIEWS:

a) The agency and its services:

b) The agency's purpose for the group

program

c) Agency expectations in terms of

attendance and participation

20XX Pitch Deck 28

THE FOLLOWING ARE USUALLY DISCUSSED DURING
THESE PRE-GROUP FORMATION INTERVIEWS:

d.)activities that are likely to be undertaken (especially

when prospective members have had experiences with

club-type groups and may have expectations of mainly fun
and entertainment-oriented activities from the group to be
formed) since discussion of this helps to increase motivation
and discourage those who are not really serious about
membership

e.)the duration of the group program; and

f.) the basis for termination of membership.

20XX Pitch Deck 29
FOR TASK GROUPS;

Termination seldom presents a problem as

the members expect the group to cease
to function when its task has been
accomplished, unless the group wants to
address another concern and the worker
is able to continue working with it.

20XX Pitch Deck 30

WITH TREATMENT-ORIENTED GROUPS,
HOWEVER, TERMINATION IS SOMETIMES
PERCEIVED AS REJECTION OR
PUNISHMENT AND SO IT CAN BECOME A
DIFFICULT PROCESS FOR BOTH THE
INDIVIDUAL AND/OR THE GROUP, AND
SOMETIMES, FOR THE WORKER.

20XX Pitch Deck 31

DURING PRE-GROUP INTERVIEWS, THE WORKER SHOULD
EXPLAIN THAT GROUP MEMBERSHIP IS NOT
PERMANENT, THAT MEMBERS MAY BE LEAVING THE
GROUP AT DIFFERENT TIMES (IN THE CASE OF OPEN
GROUPS) SUCH US WHEN GOALS FOR A MEMBER HAVE
BEEN ACHIEVED AND ANOTHER MEMBER CAN REPLACE
HIM AND THEREFORE ALSO BENEFIT FROM THE
EXPERIENCE, OR WHEN IT IS CLEAR THAT MEMBERSHIP
IS NOT HELPING A PERSON AND HE CAN BE HELPED
THROUGH SOME OTHER WAY, OR IN ANOTHER GROUP. IF
THESE ARE MADE CLEAR IN THE BEGINNING, THEN
TERMINATION WILL BECOME LESS OF A PROBLEM FOR
BOTH THE WORKER AND THE GROUP MEMBERS.
20XX Pitch Deck 32
THE WORKER SHOULD ENCOURAGE THE
PROSPECTIVE CLIENTS TO RAISE QUESTIONS
THEY MAY HAVE AND SHOULD BE PREPARED
TO ANSWER THEM HONESTLY. PRE-GROUP
INTERVIEWS ALSO PROVIDE THE WORKER
WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE THE
CLIENTS' INTERESTS AND CONCERNS AND TO
DISCUSS HOW THE GROUP MAY RESPOND TO
THEM.
20XX Pitch Deck 33
REGARDLESS OF THE NATURE OF THE
PROBLEM OR CONCERN TO BE ADDRESSED BY
A GROUP, SOME BACKGROUND INFORMATION
IS NEEDED ON EACH PROSPECTIVE GROUP
MEMBER. THE RULE IS SIMPLE: ONE CANNOT
PERFORM EFFECTIVELY IN A HELPING
ROLE IF ONE DOES NOT HAVE SOME
INFORMATION ABOUT THE PERSONS TO
BE HELPED.
20XX Pitch Deck 34
INDIVIDUAL CLIENT PROFILE
As a minimum requirement even for groups that are not
treatment-oriented, individual profiles should be written up.
These should contain the following information:

1. Name and other basic identifying information

2. Need(s)/concern(s)/problem(s) relevant to the group

program

3. Strengths/resources and limitations, if any (e.g., client is

employed and can attend meetings only during
weekends)

4. Worker's observations/comments
20XX Pitch Deck 35
THE SOCIAL WORKER HAS TO DECIDE
WHETHER TO DO INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP
INTAKE. IN SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE WITH
GROUPS, THE PRIMARY PURPOSE FOR DOING
INTAKE INTERVIEWS IS TO BE ABLE TO
ESTABLISH THE PERSON'S ELIGIBILITY FOR
THE GROUP SERVICE AND TO OBTAIN
INFORMATION THAT WILL HELP THE WORKER
WITH THE TASK OF GROUP FORMATION.

20XX Pitch Deck 36

GROUP INTAKE IS RESORTED TO FOR SEVERAL REASONS:

A) IT IS EFFORT AND TIME-SAVING SINCE A LARGE

NUMBER CAN GO THROUGH THE PROCEDURE AT THE
SAME TIME, IN AN OPEN-FORUM STYLE;

B) SEEING OTHER PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS AND

HEARING THEM RAISE AND CLARIFY QUESTIONS CAN
REINFORCE THE DESIRE TO JOIN THE GROUP PROGRAM;
AND
C) THOSE PRESENT CAN MOTIVATE OTHERS TO JOIN
AND ALSO HELP INTERPRET THE AGENCY PROGRAM IN
THE COMMUNITY.
20XX Pitch Deck 37
CASE ASSESSMENT/PROBLEM DEFINITION

The information that have been obtained

during pre-group interviews (including
individual and/or group intake) should
now be studied and analyzed with care
in order to arrive at an adequate
understanding of the individual client’s
concern or problem.
20XX Pitch Deck 38
THIS IS REFERRED TO AS "SOCIAL
STUDY," "SOCIAL DIAGNOSIS,"
"PROBLEM DEFINITION," AND
"ASSESSMENT" IN THE SOCIAL WORK
LITERATURE-A PROCESS AND A
PRODUCT OF UNDERSTANDING ON
WHICH ACTION IS BASED.

20XX Pitch Deck 39

IN THE CASE OF TREATMENT-ORIENTED
GROUPS, ADDITIONAL CLIENT INTERVIEWS
AND, IF NECESSARY, ADDITIONAL
COLLATERAL INTERVIEWS WILL HAVE TO BE
DONE IN ORDER TO HAVE AN ADEQUATE
UNDERSTANDING OF THE PSYCHOSOCIAL
FACTORS THAT HELP EXPLAIN THE CLIENT'S
SOCIAL FUNCTIONING PROBLEM, AND WHICH
FACTORS MAY STILL BE OPERATING AND ARE
MAINTAINING THE PROBLEM.
20XX Pitch Deck 40
WITH NON-THERAPEUTIC GROUPS,
THE PROCESS IS LESS DEMANDING
IN THE SENSE THAT NOT AS MUCH
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
ABOUT THE CLIENT IS NEEDED.

20XX Pitch Deck 41

ACTION-PLANNING

Action-planning is based on assessment and is the

outcome of assessment. The task involves a
consideration of the most appropriate ends and means
that should be pursued that directly respond to the
client's concern or problem. The worker is often called
upon to make rational choices and judgments about a
wide range of possibilities for helping, especially in the
case of multi-problem clients.

20XX Pitch Deck 42

ACTION-PLANNING THAT IS
FOCUSED ON THE INDIVIDUAL
CLIENT AT THIS STAGE WILL
REQUIRE THE FOLLOWING TASKS
FROM THE WORKER:

20XX Pitch Deck 43

FORMULATING GOALS
While all social work practice has one
ultimate goal - the enhancement or
improvement of the client's social
functioning, we have to be very clear
about the specific ends, outcomes, or
results desired and expected from every
professional helping relationship.
20XX Pitch Deck 44
WHERE DO I WANT THE CLIENT TO
BE AT THE END OF THE HELPING
RELATIONSHIP, OR, WHAT IS IT
THAT I EXPECT TO HAVE BEEN
ACCOMPLISHED AS A RESULT OF
THE HELPING RELATIONSHIP?

20XX Pitch Deck 45

GOALS SHOULD BE CLEAR, SPECIFIC, AND
REALISTIC. WHEN GOALS ARE CLEAR AND
SPECIFIC, IT IS NOT LIKELY FOR THE WORKER AND
HIS CLIENT TO BE AT CROSS-PURPOSES, OR TO BE
CONFUSED ABOUT THE DIRECTION IN WHICH THE
HELPING RELATIONSHIP IS MOVING. REALISTIC
GOALS ENHANCE MOTIVATION BECAUSE THEY ARE
PERCEIVED AS ATTAINABLE.

20XX Pitch Deck 46

GOALS SHOULD BE FORMULATED WITH GREAT
CARE BECAUSE THEY HAVE AT LEAST TWO VERY
IMPORTANT USES: A) TO PROVIDE DIRECTION TO
THE HELPING PROCESS AND B) TO SERVE AS
BASIS FOR EVALUATING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF
THE HELPING RELATIONSHIP.

20XX Pitch Deck 47

EVERY CLIENT SHOULD BE GIVEN THE
OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN GOAL-SETTING
ALTHOUGH THIS MAY NOT ALWAYS BE ADVISABLE
GIVEN SOME FACTORS IN A CLIENT'S SITUATION.
AGE, MENTAL CAPACITY AND EMOTIONAL STATE
ARE AMONG THESE FACTORS. HOWEVER, EACH OF
THESE STILL HAS TO BE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED
AND SHOULD NOT BE USED AS A "BLANKET RULE."

20XX Pitch Deck 48

ESTABLISHING SPECIFIC HELPING PLANS

In social work, these are called

intermediate goals, objectives,
interventive plans or action plans. These
are specific statements of what will be
done to achieve the defined goals.

20XX Pitch Deck 49

IN WORK WITH GROUPS, IT IS HELPFUL TO
SEPARATE THE HELPING PLANS WHICH ARE TO BE
PURSUED THROUGH APPROPRIATE GROUP
EXPERIENCES, FROM THE HELPING PLAN WHICH
THE WORKER WILL ATTEND TO OUTSIDE THE
GROUP, LIKE WORKING WITH THE CLIENT’S
FAMILY.

20XX Pitch Deck 50

MANA
NAGYUD!!!
GELLICA, MARK LLOYD FABRIGAS, ROELA