Course Details

1. Identify the importance of SWG’s and the relationship to other social work methods.
2. Understand and explain principles, concert of theory and practice of SWG’s.
3. Identify and clarify the terms of working with groups.
4. Determines the differentiations that exist among groups based on the criteria with which they are classified.
5. Identify and determine the dynamic elements.
6. Combine roles with relevant skills and methods of approach for both target groups and situations.
7. Identify the role and the position of the social worker, distinguish it from respective member roles, describe the factors which influence this role and analyse the ability to intervene by taking into account the particularities of groups.
8. Identify the characteristics of the professional relationship within the group.

·        Introduction to values, principles, axioms ofthe method SWG’s.  

·        The development of the method and itsrelationship to other social work methods

·        The relationship of the social worker and thegroup – professional relationship, position of the social worker in the group

·        Modern concepts and characteristics of the groupand the theories of teamwork

·        Types of groups and different approaches inpractice of SWG’s  

·        Group development process, objectives, goals.

·        Introduction to elements of group dynamics –interactions, communication, group structure, relationships, roles andpositions of group members, group rules and controls, group environment.

·        Introduction in the role of the social worker,intervention skills and techniques.

·        Environment of group and develop in SWG’s

• Kallinikaki, Th. (2011) Introduction to Theory and Practice of Social Work, Athens: Topos: 200-212 (el)
• Papadopoulou - Katsoridou, Chr. (2002), Social Work with Groups, Athens: ION-ELLIN: 19-61 & 195-213 (el)
• Ι.Α.Κ.Ε. (1997) Group Dynamics and Change: Innovative approaches in working with groups, Athens: IAKE:, 9-70 (el)
• Cohen S. C. and OLSHEVER A. (2013) IASWG Standards for Social Work Practice with Groups: Development, Application, and Evolution, Social Work with Groups, 36:111–129
• Hannah J. P. (2000) Preparing Members for the Expectations of Social Work with Groups: An Approach to the Preparatory Interview, Social Work with Groups, 22(4): 51-66

• Payne, M. (2000), Modern Social Work Theory, Ellinika Grammata publications, Athens: (el)
• Mpakirtzis, K. N. (1999), The Dynamics of Interaction in Communication, Gutenberg, Athens. (el)
• Filippou, D. & Karandana, P. (2010), Stories to dream of... Games to Grow up with...: For the encouragement of of empirical self-development groups, Kastaniotis, Athens (el)