Social group work
Social group work is one of the basic methods of social work and social learning alongside individual help and community work . Social group work is a legal term for the services according to § 29 SGB VIII with a special meaning .
Definition and demarcation
Gisela Konopka defines social group work as "a method of social work that helps individuals to recognize their social functionality through meaningful group experiences and to be better able to cope with personal, group or social problems."
Learning objectives in pedagogically supervised groups are e.g. B. Consideration, willingness to cooperate and empathy . These goals are set individually for each group member and can also differ from one another. Group goals are sometimes formulated independently of this. To achieve this goal, group processes are initiated and methods of group dynamics are used.
In contrast to the work organization concept of group work , in simple terms the journey is the goal.
Techniques and areas of application
Dynamic processes live in every social group . B. the role definition and role attribution. In this way, group phases can be observed in all groups . The role of the group leader and the individual group members in social work is also considered. Essential techniques of social group work are play and the methodical communication of educational content . Rhetorical lectures are secondary to interactive elements. The motto here is “As much as necessary, as little as possible!”. The group leader usually has a moderating role. One of the rules of didactics completion of construction of the offers within the social group work should always Evaluation elements included.
Group work as a legally defined educational measure
Group work as an aid to education (in German) SGB VIII (child and youth welfare)
With the introduction of the Child and Youth Welfare Act , Art. 1 SGB VIII 1991 , social group work according to Section 29 SGB VIII is an aid to education ( Sections 27–41 SGB VIII). Participation is intended to help children and young people to overcome developmental and behavioral problems.
Social group work is an offer for social learning in groups that is based on the voluntary nature of use and increasingly includes children as well as young people. It developed in parallel from the practice of youth welfare in the 1970s and 1980s from two different directions. As a result, two very different basic types can be found in practice.
In terms of educational support (Section 27 (1) SGB VIII)
The socio-educational group work is usually designed for children and young people of school age in accordance with Section 27, Paragraph 1 of Book VIII of the Social Code, rarely also for younger or older young people, as other measures are usually more suitable. This also includes the concept of family classes . Social learning in groups, overcoming behavioral problems and developmental difficulties are in the foreground of the two to three-hour meetings, which are one to three times a week. The group work can be supplemented by group trips and similar events. The group size (min. 3, up to usually max. 12 people) depends, among other things, on the strength of the need for help.
Basically, two different approaches can be distinguished:
- Course type : It is usually planned for one to six hours a week and lasts six to twelve months . The group meetings are usually one to three times a week. All participants are accepted into the course at the same time. The practical implementation can be designed relatively easily according to group dynamics approaches.
- Ongoing groups : It is rarely initiated for more than two years. At the beginning of the assistance, target agreements are made with the guardians and checked every six months in the assistance plan process and changed if necessary. Participants can be accepted at any time, as can individual termination. The group dynamics inherent in such groups are very different from those of the course form.
Which concept is implemented depends on the preferences of the youth welfare organization providing the service and the qualitative and quantitative requirements. In terms of group dynamics, the course type is often assigned higher performance. On the other hand, with continuous groups, the benefit claim of those in need can often be met more quickly.
In terms of Section 27 (3) SGB VIII or the JGG
The form is a help for older adolescents , young adults and (according to the legal definition up to a maximum of 27 years of age - these are then called "young adults ") in difficult life situations, e.g. B. after drug addiction or imprisonment or other deviant behavior. The applied concepts are very diverse. Participation is not always based on the principle of voluntariness , as this youth welfare service can also be ordered as a measure by the judge under the Youth Court Act for 14-21 year olds .
Insurance coverage
Insurance coverage for clients (participating children and young people) is provided by private health insurance . If there is an operating permit according to § 45 SGB VIII for this offer, the participants are covered by the statutory accident insurance .
literature
- Claus Bernet : Group education at the beginning of the Federal Republic of Germany: methodology, sex education, educational work with soldiers. In: Social Work , 59, 2010, pp. 341–346.
- Luise Hartwig (ed.): Group pedagogy in home education , Frankfurt am Main 2010.
- Astrid Hedtke-Becker, Jochen Peter: Group work and group pedagogy , in: Kilb, Rainer (ed.): Methods of Social Work in School , Munich 2009, pp. 182–188.
Individual evidence
- ^ Gisela Konopka: Social group work - a helping process . Beltz-Verlag, Weinheim 1968, p. 67.
