Social Group Work Process

Different Stages of Group Work Process

There are different stages in the social group work process:
 
• Pre Group
• Group Formation
• Beginning phase
• Middle Phase
• Advanced Phase
• Use of Programmes
• Evaluation in Groups and
• Termination Phase
 Pre Group Stage:
 
 
• It is also called as understanding stage.
 
• It is an assembling process, where members come together
 
• The Group consciousness is very low during this stage.
 
• There is not much of Group feeling
 
• There is lack of participation
 
• There is lack of Enthusiasm
 
• Individuals try to explore the activities of the group
 
 Group Formation Stage:

 
• The group is almost formed completely
 
• Members meet often in the group
 
• There are Signs of Development
 
• Leadership Patterns are visible
 
• Group Feeling starts developing
 
• Members start discussing what to do in the next meeting.
 
• Members start experiencing each other through the activities conducted by the Group Workers.
 Beginning phase
 
• The first is a stimulating experience for the group.

• Much depends upon the members’ previous experiences of group. Help members share previous experience.

• Members are not fully certain about the group purpose. As well as the process- what demands will be placed
on them.

• At the beginning there is a caution and tentativeness about the expectation about each other persons.

• First exchanges are stereotyped. We often feel that we are the only ones, we alone have with our problems,
knowing that others have same problems encourages us and gives strength.

• It is the stage in which members try to find a place to themselves in a group. Group worker serves as a model
for disclosing characteristic about them. They fear disclosure, fear of getting too close. Because it makes
them vulnerable. Pattern developed are affectionate acceptance, rejection, alliances and sub group, status
rating leader/follower pattern.
 Objective of this stage
• Introduce the members and make them comfortable.
• State the purpose and functions of group and the agency.
• Balance task and social emotional aspects of the group process.
• Provide opportunity and climate for feedback about the fit between their needs and the
worker’s view of their need and the services provided.
• Setting goals contracting
• Motivation expectation of the group.
• Introduction can be done by self introduction, round robin, dividing into pairs, top secret,
treasure hunt pick an animal (games) 
• Purpose of group: Worker makes statement about the purpose of the group, discuss
confidentiality. 
• Members come together with the purpose of helping each other. The group feeling starts
developing through some preliminary exercise opportunities are provided for the members to
participate, interact and inter relate with each other. Members start accepting their roles in the
group as well as other members in the group. Exploration within the group takes place.
 
 Middle Phase:

The group has slowly picked up the momentum.

There are rules and regulations, which guides the proceeding in the group.

Group norms are formed.

Members’ behavior is regulated by the group norms.

The members are well aware of every other member in the group.

There may be sub group in this stage.

The group is open for interaction and criticism.
 
• The steps involved in this stage are:
• Making arrangements for the conduct of
group sessions
• Structuring the time
• Facilitating group meetings
• Assessment of the group’s progress
 Use of Programmes and activities-Advanced
Phase
• The worker has to spend considerable amount of time in developing the
activities and procedures for the conduct of the group meetings.
• A number of decisions have to be taken with regard to the selection of an
activity or task, sequencing of the tasks and activities, assigning
responsibilities etc.
• Materials and equipment to conduct the group activities have to be procured.
• Resource agencies and persons have to be contacted. For example, a pre-
retirement counselling group may plan for exercises that would give them an
idea about the possible changes that take place in their social status and roles
and how best to cope up with the new situation.
• The possible exercises could be role-plays, screening of a video followed with
a discussion, an orientation lecture session by an expert counselor in the field
etc.
  
Evaluation Phase 

•  

•  

•THE WORKER ATTEMPTS TO MEASURE THE QUALITY OF A GROUP. Through evaluation the worker and
the members know the extent to which they are accomplishing their objectives. The individuals as
well as the group as the whole should be evaluated. The following factors should be evaluated.
•The characteristics (age, sex, and other demographic details) of the group. Evaluate whether the
formation of the group was genuine and the right members were grouped properly.
•Evaluate the individual members attitude, behaviour and characteristics.
•Evaluate the group relationship.
•Evaluate group programme planning
•Evaluate the programme implementation process
•Evaluate the outcome of the programme
•Evaluate the participatory level of the members
•Evaluate the group resources
•Evaluate the role of group worker
•Evaluate the ability of the group to relate with other groups
• 
•  
 Termination Phase
 

•The group worker and the group when feel that the group has obtained the
desired change then the group work intervention should be terminated.
Termination is that stage when the group has become self sufficient.
Termination can be done when the following is reached:-
•There is a desired change in the individual attitude and behavior.
•There is a desired change in the group interpersonal relationship.
•There is desired outcome of the programmes are obtained.
•The group feels that they can be independent and no longer need the
support from the group worker.
•The group worker feels that the group has shown the desired changes
towards growth and development.