SWM5113 Critical social work 3: Group work and social work leadership

Group work is a major social work intervention method. Social workers are required to practise effective group work interventions in diverse settings; with families, service users, stakeholders, community groups, inter-agency networks, colleagues and in policy environments.

The unit has a focus on the theory and practice of group work, including communication in groups, group dynamics, understanding the 'life' of a group, and group leadership and facilitation.

The unit requires students to work effectively in a student group to 1) compare and analyse community groups in which they have been a member and 2) to reflect on and analyse the dynamics of their student group.

Students will be introduced to leadership theories in relation to human service organisations, their programs and policies. Social work leadership that works toward social justice and social change through, for example, research, advocacy, policy development, service delivery, and community action will be examined. Theories of leadership will be placed against the experiences and views of current social work leaders.

Students will appraise the arguments for and against the existence of a specific social work leadership 'style/s', and critique leadership qualities in relation to community groups.