1. CHAPTER NINE MANAGEMENT OF GROUP FUNCTION AND PROCESS
The Practice of Generalist Social Work (2nd ed.)

2. Key Ideas
Group work requires that social workers be aware of potential roles that facilitators and group members may assume throughout the group process.
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3. Social Worker Roles Facilitator Invites sharing and participation
Reframes and links issues
Maintains group boundaries and rules
Utilizes effective listening skills
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4. Social Worker Roles Synthesizer Summarizes group members’ discussions
Identifies themes and patterns
Connects content from one session to the next
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5. Social Worker Roles Norm Setter
Provides information about appropriate group behavior through modeling and feedback
Encourages use of direct interactions
Sets group rules at the beginning of the group
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6. Social Worker Roles Educator
Provides factual information and content specific to the goals of the group
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7. Social Worker Roles Collaborator
Collaborates with other social workers
Works with co-leaders to enhance the group process
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8. Group Member Roles Silent group member Member who is not engaged
Social worker must determine why member is silent
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9. Group Member Roles Monopolizer Member seems to talk too much
Member is eager to share unsolicited opinions often
Social worker must address behavior directly and through encouraging group member support
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10. Group Member Roles Rejecter of help
Member consistently rejects help and ideas
Member complains often
Member seems unable to grow or change
Social worker must maintain focus on concrete feedback
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11. Group Member Roles Caregiver
Member strives to care for other members and facilitator
Member neglects own needs
Member avoids addressing own challenges
Social worker must gently confront member’s avoidance of issues through the caregiving behavior
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