The Essential Groupworker

Focusing on how groupwork can be learnt and taught, the authors of this accessible and lively book consider what is essential in effective work with groups. They develop a practice model which is applicable to a wide range of approaches and actively promotes anti-oppressive groupwork. It has been extensively trialled and refined in a mainstream social services agency. Using `activities' to promote the reader's understanding and involvement, The Essential Groupworker describes how to plan, set up and maintain a working group. The authors look at the ways in which power and power relations, and individual and group identities influence the success or failure of a group. They show how to evaluate outcomes and apply knowledge gained through experience, and consider ways of approaching group endings. Written for students, practitioners and educators, The Essential Groupworker will stimulate effective and creative groupwork practice in a wide variety of settings.

Focusing on how groupwork can be learnt and taught, the authors of this accessible and lively book consider what is essential in effective work with groups. They develop a practice model which is applicable to a wide range of approaches and actively promotes anti-oppressive groupwork. It has been extensively trialled and refined in a mainstream social services agency. Using `activities' to promote the reader's understanding and involvement, The Essential Groupworker describes how to plan, set up and maintain a working group. The authors look at the ways in which power and power relations, and individual and group identities influence the success or failure of a group. They show how to evaluate outcomes and apply knowledge gained through experience, and consider ways of approaching group endings. Written for students, practitioners and educators, The Essential Groupworker will stimulate effective and creative groupwork practice in a wide variety of settings.

Launching Palgrave's new interdisciplinary Professional Keywords series, this reader-friendly reference guide distils the vast field of groupwork study and practice into digestible, yet authoritative, chunks. With over 60 alphabetized entries, it is the perfect introduction to groupwork for health and social care practice.

Written by an experienced groupworker and academic, this book promotes greater knowledge and understanding of groupwork and group processes, particularly in social work and social care settings. Incorporating both theory and practice, it provides a practical guide to those considering groupwork, and further inspiration for those already involved. The book incorporates a number of case examples of groups run in mainstream social work, social care and multidisciplinary settings. Skills-based in approach, this original text includes: illustrative group examples quotes from groupworkers key learning points based on research activities to develop practice suggestions for further reading. Published in association with Community Care Magazine, the book meets the changing needs of today's students and practitioners in social care and is a welcome addition to the current literature.

Basic Groupwork is a simple, practical guide to the processes of groupwork. This new edition has been extensively updated and revised to reflect the changes which have taken place in society and social behaviour since it was first published in 1978, but in essence it remains an accessible and friendly text for the novice practitioner. In logical sequence the book follows the progress of one group from inception to close and exposes how groups work. Basic group processes explained include: how individuals bring their personal habitual responses to situations into a group how group constraints enhance or restrain group behaviour and achievement how a group is affected by the way in which it has originated how leadership and membership roles interact. Basic Groupwork provides students with a sound and solid basis for any kind of groupwork, in any context.

In his latest book, Tom Douglas turns his attention to the skills of group membership. While there is an extensive literature on basic groupwork practice, none of the existing books address the functions of groups exclusively from the viewpoint of members. Survival in Groups examines the influences and pressures which can exist in groups and explains what to look for in order to see these factors at work. It stresses the fact that the ability to see the processes of a group in action can enable group members to make consciously directed contributions to the group based on an understanding of what is involved. The final chapters discuss methods of integrating personal learning about group outcomes. Illustrated throughout with practice-based examples, Survival in Groups is aimed at the many students of social work, counselling, nursing and social care who are required to participate in groups, but who are unclear about what this involves. With its summaries, lists of basic concepts and brief annotated bibliography, the book will also be of use to busy professionals in the social care field where teamwork or groupwork is emphasised.

Working with families, carers, groups and communities is something all social work students must prepare for. Written to guide you through these varied and complex groupwork situations, this book explores the knowledge, skills and values required for groupwork practice. Divided into two parts, the first provides an understanding of groupwork, its concepts and contexts, while the second takes you step-by-step through groupwork practice, from planning and preparation, to starting out, facilitating and finally ending work with a group. Different service contexts including work with children, with users who have learning disabilities, in mental health settings, and more, are covered throughout the book, with case studies, activities and reflective opportunities helping you to understand the complexities of these contexts. This text is a comprehensive and contemporary guide to groupwork in social work today.

Annotation "This new edition of Effective Groupwork offers an essential introduction to the values, knowledge and skill required for working with different groups in a variety of social care settings." "This text will continue to be an invaluable resource for students and practitioners of social work and the caring professions wanting to learn more about this key technique."--Jacket.