Case-Based Learning for Group Intervention in Social Work

“Group work involves interventions directed at a collective of individuals to achieve a common goal, with the group being the agent of change. Groups offer a number of advantages and include their potential cost-effectiveness. However, strong facilitation skills are necessary so that groups can fulfill their purpose and meet the goals of its members. Social workers are often in settings where people are mandated into groups by the court system, and this casebook addresses the challenge, in a way that is respectful and collaborative, of working with this population. The main purpose of this casebook is to develop social work group skills with students and beginning professionals. In order to develop student competency in planning and facilitating groups, Case Based Learning for Group Intervention in Social Work uses a contemporary pedagogy, case-based learning, as a teaching tool for analysis, application, and decision-making. In case-based learning, students are given real-life vignettes and are asked to analyze them to answer questions and make decisions about how they would intervene. Using cases involves both deductive (top down) and inductive (bottom up) methods (practice wisdom). By working through cases, students will gain exposure to the considerable range of group populations and problems that can be served by social work group intervention”–