Unit rationale, description and aim
Social workers work in groups and teams to design and implement social work services and programs. Social workers also develop and deliver group programs for clients. Social workers need to be competent in planning and facilitating groups to achieve effective client outcomes. This unit focuses on the theoretical models and skills for social work intervention in groups in a range of settings and contexts. The theory examined and critically appraised includes, models of group stage and progression, group dynamics, psycho-education groups, mutual aid groups, concepts of group care, counselling groups, principles for effective team work and solution focused group work applied to a variety of practice contexts and with diverse populations. The experiential component requires students to plan a group program and participate in leading and facilitating groups. Students will select a specific population group or context for application of models for group work intervention from the following: aged; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; corrections; cultural and linguistic diversity; disability; health; income security and poverty; mental health and rural and remote. The aim of this unit is to provide students with knowledge and skills in group work, a key area of social work intervention, including an understanding of the benefits of group work, knowledge for running groups effectively, and skills in planning and facilitation of groups.
This unit is one of four social work professional skills units. To meet AASW accreditation criteria, 100% attendance is required.
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Demonstrate understanding of social work group pro...
Learning Outcome 01
Apply high level oral and written communication sk...
Learning Outcome 02
Critically evaluate the efficacy of various models...
Learning Outcome 03
Critically reflect on the therapeutic use of self,...
Learning Outcome 04
Content
Topics will include:
Theories Relevant to Social Work with Groups
- Group norms, power dynamics, leadership styles
- Communication (verbal and non-verbal)
- Cohesion, conflict, and group change theories
Types of Groups
- Diverse and vulnerable populations
- Self-help, family, task, educational, and treatment groups
- Groups with involuntary clients
Group Processes
- Goals, dynamics, and rules
- Group formation and recruitment
- Open vs. closed groups
- Managing behaviour, process/content balance, and ethical considerations
Stages of Group Development
- Beginning Phase: Building trust, establishing norms, and starting techniques
- Middle Phase: Member issues, authority, conflict resolution, and resistance
- Ending Phase: Emotional processing, evaluation, closure, and future planning
Group Intervention Models
- Problem-solving and decision-making models
- Strengths-based approaches
- Managing resistance and motivational interviewing
Assessment strategy and rationale
This unit has three assessment tasks. Assessment focuses on foundation groupwork knowledge. Assessment 2 and Assessment 3 are designed to offer contemporary, real-world practice opportunities. Students will engage with relevant literature, group work theories and apply these in the development of groupwork skills.
- Assessment 1 is a short answer quiz to ensure student engagement in foundational knowledge prior to the application of skills in face-to-face classes.
- Assessment 2 task requires students to demonstrate their ability to plan, collaborate, deliver and reflect on a group work session.
- Assessment 3 requires students to consolidate their learning via a written proposal for a group program.
To pass the unit, students must demonstrate that they have achieved each learning outcome, attended the compulsory in-person classes, and obtained a total mark of 50% in the unit as the minimum standard.
Overview of assessments
Assessment 1: Online Quiz To assess students’ k...
Assessment 1: Online Quiz To assess students’ knowledge of core concepts and theories for social work with groups.
20%
Assessment 2: Facilitation Skills & Reflecti...
Assessment 2: Facilitation Skills & Reflection Assessment: Enables students to facilitate a simulated group session and critically reflect on group content and process. Simulated Group Session reflection.
40%
Assessment 3: Submission for a Group Proposal : ...
Assessment 3: Submission for a Group Proposal: Enables students to present a proposal that advocates for a group program to meet client needs.
40%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
This unit involves 150 hours of a combination of lectures, online learning materials, tutorials and self-directed learning. Learning activities include reading, individual research, small group and class discussions.
ON CAMPUS
Online resources will detail group work theories, leadership styles and strategies to manage challenges that arise. Face-to face tutorials will entail authentic application of group work models and approaches to scenarios encountered in social work practice. This provides students with experience as a participant in groups, as well as opportunity to develop and demonstrate facilitation skills. 100% attendance in person at weekly classes is required.
ONLINE
Online resources will detail group work theories, leadership styles and strategies to manage challenges that arise. The 5-day on-campus intensive will entail authentic application of group work models and approaches to scenarios encountered in social work practice. This provides students with experience as a participant in groups, as well as opportunity to develop and demonstrate facilitation skills. 100% attendance in person at the 5-day intensive is required.
Graduate Attributes and the Practice Standards (ASWEAS, 2024)
This Unit has been mapped to the ACU Graduate Capabilities and the Graduate Attributes and the Practice Standards (ASWEAS, 2024) . The following table sets out the broad relationship between the Learning Outcomes, Graduate Attributes and the Graduate Attributes and the Practice Standards (ASWEAS, 2024).
Relating to
Conduct themselves according to the values, principles and guidelines of the AASW
Code of Ethics 2020
Relevant learning outcomeLO4
Relating to
Have a clear sense of accountability for their actions and accept responsibility for the
decisions they make and their professional actions
Relevant learning outcomeLO4
Relating to
Recognise and take responsibility for what is within their power, control or
management
Relevant learning outcomeLO4
Relating to
Can articulate the ethics underpinning their approach to decisions and actions
Relevant learning outcomeLO4
Relating to
Conduct their approach to practice respectfully and inclusively with regard to culture
and diversity
Relevant learning outcomeLO3
Relating to
Apply an intersectional lens in their approach to complexities around culture and
diversity
Relevant learning outcomeLO3
Relating to
Respectfully engage with people who have culturally diverse identities
Relevant learning outcomeLO3, LO4
Relating to
Adapt and modify their practice on the basis of a critical awareness of how their
personal values, cultures and beliefs impact on their interactions with people
Relevant learning outcomeLO4
Relating to
Practise within a professional knowledge framework informed by a critical
understanding of contemporary social work theory and research
Relevant learning outcomeLO1
Relating to
Work from a clearly articulated framework for reflective practice
Relevant learning outcomeLO4
Relating to
Recognise, and use responsibly, the power and authority they have when exercising
professional judgement affecting people
Relevant learning outcomeLO4
Relating to
Critically assess the quality and veracity of all relevant information to support their
decisions
Relevant learning outcomeLO2
Relating to
Monitor, evaluate and review their skills, knowledge and expertise
Relevant learning outcomeLO4