Group Work-Introduction to Social Work Practice
The purpose of this paper is to create a make up 'group' that would appropriately support the DSS agency, whose goals include support, prevention and treatment of abused and neglected children and their families. There are many people this group might pertain to, including abused children, friends and family members of abused children, family members that abuse and even adult children from abusive familial relationships. For purposes of this paper the researcher explores a group consisting of family members who have been abused including children and potentially a second group of reformed family members who are trying to prevent abusive relationships within their family and community. Needs And Problems Facing The Agency The DSS agency is a child-driven, family-centered, community-focused and strengthen based agency committed among other things to diversity within the community and cultural competence as well as committed learning. The agency focuses specifically on child abuse and neglect, hence specialized trainers and social workers experienced working with abused populations to enable better group participation and ensure children's safety in a nurturing and resilient work environment.
Critique of the group experience will depend largely on the self-reported benefits of group therapy as described by individual members. Other methods for evaluation will include assessments of group members general symptoms at termination of the group session, which will include use so a structured interview and self-report to measure symptoms experienced and reported by group members. Self-esteem, interpersonal functioning, perceived success rates and control will all be factors critical to evaluating effective treatment of group members (Lubid, Loris, Burt & Johnson, 1998). The purpose must describe the ends in which the group is "collectively pursuing" (Kurlan & Salmon, 7). Individual group members may have unique expectations, hopes and goal aside from the group purpose but these goals should mesh with the overall group purpose (Kurland & Salmon, 7). A group purpose must not be vague and must reflect the group dynamic. The purpose must further evolve from the need of group members as a collective unit. Power and Control Stages in the Group Setting The aim of the group work will include developing life skills including coping skills that will better enable coping during instable times and help treat problems that exist within relationships. This in turn will hopefully reduce the instances of abuse and improve the functioning of the family and individual members of the group. The group will also aim to provide a safe and educational forum for family members and children to express their fears, concerns and frustrations and to provide support and nurturing as well as an outlet to vent when necessary. There are many composition factors that may be considered for this group. It is likely in this case that attendance for some members will be mandated by the courts or required by other programs. While ideally each member of the group will be motivated to work on their problems, this may or may not be the case in abusive relationships where addictions are present. Members of the group must have a common purpose, namely protection and nurturing of the children in the community and prevention of abuse in familial relationships. This will help focus the group life.
Some common words found in the essay are:
Jones Kolodny, Agency DSS, Factors Consider, Kurland Salmon, Vang Gale, Selected Selecting, , Steps Started, Experience Critique, Kurlan Salmon, garland jones, garland jones kolodny, jones kolodny, power control, abused children, abuse neglect, include diverse, kolodny 42, coping skills, dss agency, abusive relationships, jones kolodny 42, power control issues, family danger deterioration, child abuse neglect,
Approximate Word count = 2338
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page double spaced)
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