About Groups and Group Work Approaches
About Groups and Group Work Approaches

Summary/Abstract: This article aims to emphasize the importance of a different dimension of social work intervention: working with groups. Working with groups in social work means a refined mix of individual approaches and methods with groups dynamics. There is no need to explain the importance of groups in any activity, since we became group members ourselves since our very first breath. The structure and norms of the society make us group components under social group dynamics, laws and processes. It is impossible to be a part of society without belonging to different groups (Toseland, Rivas, 2009, 3‑5). Working with groups presumes a two layer approach: the first one centered on the individual as member of the group and the second one with focus on group as an entity with specific processes, functions and particularities. The challenge of working with groups appears mainly from the need to offer attention and support to the assisted person as a member of the group and at the same time considering the parameters of the group as a stand‑alone entity (stages, dynamics, disturbing factors). This study will review general notions on group typology, dynamics and specific working methods with groups in social work and also group evaluation strategies. The attached case study will analyse the work relationship inside a Romanian NGO. The objective of this article is to discuss various aspects of working with groups by pointing out the main group characteristics (for a better understanding of the specifics of this intervention) and by presenting a case study with a practical group evaluation method.

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