LESSON 6:

THE HELPING
PROCESS IN SOCIAL
GROUP WORK
Mirjam Nilsson
ASSESSMENT

Assessment in social group work is the process of

gathering and interpreting information about group
members, the group process, and the group’s
progress towards its goals. Assessment is an ongoing
process that occurs throughout the life of the group.
It is used to inform decision-making about the
group’s goals, objectives, activities, and
interventions.

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SOCIAL WORKERS USE A VARIETY OF
METHODS TO ASSESS GROUPS, INCLUDING:
• Surveys: can be used to collect data on a variety of topics,
such as group members’ needs, goals, satisfaction with the
group, and progress towards individual and group goals.

• Interviews: can be used to collect more in-depth

information about group members’ needs, goals,
experiences, and perceptions of the group.

• Observations: can be used to collect data on group

dynamics, patterns of interaction, group member
participation, and the group process.

• Documentation: social workers can also review

documentation, such as intake forms. Case notes, and group
minutes to learn more about group members, the group
process,
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and the groups’ progress.
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ASSESSMENT DATA
CAN BE USED TO:

• Develop group goals and objectives

• Develop a group plan
• Select group members
• Facilitate group discussions and activities
• Provide individual support and guidance to
group members
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the group

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Assessment is an essential part of social
group practice. It allows social workers
to better understand the needs and goals
of group members and the group as a
whole. This information can be used to
develop effective group plans and to
help groups achieve their goals.

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TREATMENT PLAN

A treatment plan in social group work is a

document that outlines the goals, objectives,
and interventions for a social group. It is
developed by the social worker in
collaboration with group members. The
treatment plan should be specific, measurable,
achievable, relevant, and time-bound.

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THE TREATMENT PLAN SHOULD INCLUDE
THE FOLLOWING:
• Group goals and objectives: the treatment plan should
clearly state the goals and objectives for the group. The goals
and objectives should be specific, measurable, achievable,
relevant, and timebound.

• Group interventions: the treatment plan should describe the

interventions that will be used to help the group achieve its
goals and objectives. Interventions may include group
discussions, activities, projects, and individual support and
guidance.

• Group evaluation: the treatment plan should describe how

the group’s progress will be evaluated. Evaluation may
involve surveys, interviews, observations, and documentation.

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EXAMPLE OF A
TREATMENT
PLAN FOR A
SOCIAL
GROUP:

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GROUP GOALS AND OBJECTIVES:
• Group members will increase their
knowledge of coping skills for dealing
with stress.

• Group members will develop a support

network of other people who are also
coping with stress.

• Group members will reduce their stress

levels
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GROUP INTERVENTION:
• • Group members will participate in weekly
group discussions about coping with stress.

• • Group members will participate in weekly

group activities designed to teach and
practice coping skills.

• • Group members will have access to

individual support and guidance from the
social worker.
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GROUP EVALUATION:
• Group members will complete a pre-group and
post-group survey to assess their knowledge of
coping skills and their stress levels.

• The social worker will observe the group

process and document group members’
participation and progress.

• Group members will have the opportunity to

provide feedback on the group experience.

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The treatment plan
should be reviewed and
updated regularly to ensure
that it is still meeting the
needs of the group and its
members.
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PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

Plan implementation is the stage of

helping process where the social worker
and group members work together to
achieve the group’s goals.

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THIS PROCESS
INVOLVES THE
FOLLOWING
STEPS:

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1. Review the group plan. At the beginning of each group session, the
social worker and group members should review the group plan to
ensure that they are on the same page. This includes discussing the
group’s goals, objectives, and activities for the session.
2. Implement the group plan. The social worker facilitates the group
session according to the group plan. This may involve leading
discussions, activities, or exercises. The social worker should also be
responsive to the needs of the group and make adjustments to the plan
as needed.

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3. Monitor the group process. The social worker should monitor the
group process to ensure that the group is functioning effectively. This
includes paying attention to the group’s dynamics, such as
communication patterns, conflict, and leadership. The social worker
should also be mindful of the individual needs of the group members.
4. Provide support and feedback. The social worker should provide
support and feedback to the group members as needed. This may
include helping them to set goals, develop coping skills, and resolve
conflict. The social worker should also provide feedback on the
group’s progress towards its goals.
5. Evaluate the group plan. The social worker should evaluate the
group plan ongoingly to ensure that it is effective. This may involve
collecting feedback from the group members and making adjustments
to the plan as needed
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EVALUATION
Evaluation is an ongoing process that
occurs throughout the social group work
helping process, from engagement to
termination.
It is important to evaluate the
effectiveness of the group intervention in
achieving its goals, as well as the impact
of the group on individual group
members.
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THERE ARE A
VARIETY OF
METHODS THAT
CAN BE USED TO
EVALUATE
SOCIAL GROUP
WORK
INTERVENTIONS.

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• Client feedback: this involves collecting feedback from group
members about their satisfaction with the group experience and
their progress towards their goals. Feedback can be collected
through surveys, interviews, or focus group.
• Group worker observations: the group worker can observe
the group process and note changes in group members’ behavior,
interactions, and relationships over time.
• Standardized assessment tools: there are number of
standardized assessment tools that can be used to measure group
members’ progress towards their goals. These tools can be used
to assess a variety of areas, such as mental health, social skills,
and quality of life.
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THE
EVALUATION
PROCESS CAN BE
USED TO:

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• Improve the effectiveness of the group intervention: the
group worker can use feedback and assessment data to
identify areas where the group is not progressing well and
make adjustments to the intervention accordingly.
• Demonstrate the value of the group to stakeholders:
social workers can use evaluation data to demonstrate to
stakeholders, such as funding agencies and supervisors,
that the group is effective and meeting its goals.
• Inform future group work practice: social workers can
use evaluation data to learn from their experiences and
improve their practice over time.
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TERMINATION

Termination is important because it

allows group members to reflect on their
experiences in the group, say goodbye to
other group members, and prepare for
their next steps.

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THE GROUP
WORKER CAN
HELP GROUP
MEMBERS TO
PREPARE FOR
TERMINATION
BY:

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• Discussing the termination process early on in
the group. This will help group members to be
prepared for the end of the group and to start thinking
about their next steps.
• Creating a safe and supportive environment
where the group members can share their feelings
about termination. This may include providing
group members with opportunities to share their
experiences in the group, to say goodbye to other
group members, and to express their feelings about
the end of the group.
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• Helping the group members to develop a plan
for the future. This may include helping group
members to identify their goals, to develop a plan
for achieving their goals, and to identify resources
that can help them to achieve their goals.

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THANK YOU
Mirjam Nilsson
206-555-0146
mirjam@contoso.com
www.contoso.com