ROLE OF SOCIAL WORKER IN GROUP WORK.

Introduction In working with individuals, groups, family organization, and communities, social worker is expected to knowledgeable and skillful in fulfilling variety of roles. The particular role selected should be determined by what will be most effective, given the circumstances. The following material identifies some , but certainly not all, Of the roles assumed by social workers. Roles:1)Broker The broker links individuals and groups who need help (and do not know where to find it with community services . For example a wife who is physically abused by her husband might be referred to a shelter a bettered women. Nowadays even moderate-sized communities 200-300 social service agencies and organizations, even human service professionals are often only partially aware of the total service network in their community. 2)Enabler:- In this role a worker help individual or group to articulate their needs , clarify and identify their problems , explore resolution strategies, select and a strategy and develop their capacities to deal whit problem effectively. This role model is perhaps the most frequently used approach in counseling individuals, groups and families. 3)Activist:-

An activist seeks basic institutional change : often the objective involves a shift in power and resource to a disadvantaged group .An activist is concerned about social injustice, inequity , and deprivation. Tactics involve conflict, confrontation, and negotiation. Social action is concerned with changing the social environment in order to better meet the recognized needs of individuals. The methods used are assertive and action oriented For example: organizing welfare recipients to work toward improvements service and increases in money payments. Activities of social action include fact-finding, analysis of community needs, research, dissemination and interpretation of information, organizing activities with people etc for public understanding and support on behalf existing or proposed social program. 4)Advocate:It is an active, directive role of in which the social worker represent a client or citizens group. When a client or a citizens group needs help and existing institutions are uninterested (or openly and hostile) the advocates role may be appropriate . The advocate provides leadership in collecting information , arguing the validity of the clients need and request , and challenging the institutions decision not to provide services. The purpose is not to ridicule or censure a particular institution but to modify or change one or more of its service policies. In this role the advocate is a partisan who is exclusively serving the interests of a client or citizens group. 5)Empowerer:A key goal of social work practice is empowerment , the process of helping individuals, families, groups organizations, and communities increase their personal, interpersonal, socioeconomic, and political strength and influence.

Social workers who engage in empowerment- focused practice seek to develop the capacity of clients to understand their environment make choices, take responsibility, for those choices, and influence their life situation through organization and advocacy . This focus on equity and social justice has been a hallmark of the social work profession. 6)Mediator:The mediator role involves intervention in disputes between parties to help them find compromises, reconcile differences, or each mutually satisfactory agreements. For example: Divorcing spouses, neighbors in conflict, landlords and tenants, labour and management, and contenders for child custody. A mediator remains neutral, not siding with either party in the dispute. Mediators make sure they understand the positions of both parties. The may help to clarify positions, identify miscommunication about differences, and help both parties present their case clearly. 7)Negotiator:- A negotiator brings together people in conflict and seeks mutually acceptable agreements .Somewhat like mediation, negotiation involves finding a middle ground that all sides can live with. However, unlike a mediator (who maintains a neutral positions), a negotiator is usually allied with one side or the other. 8)Educator:- The educator gives information to clients and teaches them adaptive skills .To be an effective educator , the worker must first be knowledgeable. Additionally, the worker must be a good communicator so information is conveyed clearly and readily understood by the receiver .

An educator can teach parenting skills to young parents, instruct teenagers in job hunting strategies, and teach anger control techniques to individuals with aggressive tendencies. 9)Initiator:An initiator calls attention to a problem or to a potential problem. It is important to recognize that sometimes a potential problem requires attention. For example: If a proposal is made to renovate a low-income neighborhood by building middle-income housing units , the initiator or will be a concerned that low income residents could become homeless if the proposal is approved (because these current residents may not be able to afford middle-income units). Because calling attention to problem usually does not resolve them, the initiator role must often be followed by other kinds of work. 10) Co-ordinator :- Co-ordination involves bringing components together in an organized manner. Example- A multi-problem family may need services from different agencies. Thus , one may need to assume the role of a caseworker to coordinate services from different agencies. 11)Researcher:- Research in social work practice includes: reading literature on topics of interest, evaluating the outcomes of ones practice, assessing the merits and shortcomings of programs and studying the community needs. 12)Group Facilitator:A group facilitator serves as a leader for a group experience. Thus he/she helps bring focus to the group, encourages constructive debate and form a cohesive, interactive and cohesive group

This may be a therapy group, an educational group, a self-help group, a sensitivity group etc. 13)Public Speaker:Social Workers occasionally talk to a diverse set of groups to inform them of available services or argue the need of new services. Thus, social workers skilled in public-speaking will be better equipped to interpret services to groups.