Group Work on the Edge: Working with Marginalized People

Group work is a key intervention method in social work across many different settings and Group Work On The Edge introduces its theoretical basis and fundamental skills. Exploring how ‘tidy’ theory can be applied to working in ‘messy’ - flexible or informal - settings, it also gives specific attention to often neglected populations within social work practice, such as homeless people, at-risk youth, men and boys, and involuntary participants.

Providing an ethical planning framework and exploring how to balance the multiple roles of a group facilitator, this text includes numerous case studies of different groups, and shares techniques and tips for planning for, and responding to, the unexpected. Divided into three parts, it opens by presenting core group work skills, with content on everything from defining groups to closing them. The second part looks at planning and evaluating groups, the impact of setting on groups and ethical practice. Each chapter in the final part focuses on group work with a different, often marginalised, population that social workers engage with.

This book is designed to help social work students to make sense of theory, to develop a sound practice framework, and to have their eyes open to the realities of practising group work in real-life situations. It is illustrated by useful textbook features, such as summaries, questions for reflection, practice examples, dialogue boxes and activities.