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Anganwadi Supervisor Paper-2: Child Development, Extension and Social Work · Chapter 10

Casework, Group Work and Community Organisation

What to remember

  • Casework is one-to-one help. Its classic phases are study, diagnosis and treatment. Its core principles are the seven principles of casework.
  • Group work uses the group as the tool. Its stages run from planning and beginning to middle phase and ending. Its goal is growth of members through group experience.
  • Community organisation helps a community identify its needs and act on them. Its main models are locality development, social planning and social action.

Social casework

Meaning. Social casework is a method of helping individuals and families, one at a time, to solve personal and social problems. The worker builds a professional relationship with the client and uses it to help the client use his or her own strengths and the resources of the community.

Mary Richmond gave the early definition: casework is the art of doing different things for and with different people, to bring about their own and their environment's betterment. She described the process in three steps: social study (investigation), social diagnosis and social treatment.

Components (four Ps and later two more). Helen Harris Perlman described four components: Person (the client), Problem (the need), Place (the agency) and Process (the helping process). Two more were added later: the Professional person (the worker) and the Provisions (resources and services).

Seven principles of casework (Biestek):

  • 1. Individualisation: treat each client as a unique person.
  • 2. Purposeful expression of feelings: let the client speak freely.
  • 3. Controlled emotional involvement: sensitivity without losing objectivity.
  • 4. Acceptance: accept the client as he or she is, with strengths and weaknesses.
  • 5. Non-judgmental attitude: do not blame or label.
  • 6. Client self-determination: the client makes the choices.
  • 7. Confidentiality: protect private information.

Process of casework in common modern form: intake (first contact), study or data collection, assessment and diagnosis, planning, treatment or intervention, evaluation, termination and follow-up.

Tools and techniques:

  • Interview: a purposeful conversation. It is the chief tool.
  • Observation: noticing behaviour, speech and surroundings.
  • Home visit: to see the family in its own setting.
  • Rapport: the warm, trusting relationship; it is the base of casework.
  • Listening, reassurance, clarification, reflection: supportive skills.
  • Referral: linking the client with another agency.
  • Case record: written record of the case for continuity and supervision.

Approaches or models:

ApproachKey idea
PsychosocialUnderstand the person in the situation; link past and present
FunctionalUse of the agency's function and time limits; helps the client use the agency
Problem-solvingWork on the problem step by step; Perlman
Crisis interventionShort-term help during a sudden crisis
Task-centredShort-term; client and worker agree on specific tasks

Recording may be process recording (detailed account of the interview), summary recording (key points) or narrative recording. Good records are factual, confidential and regularly updated.

Social group work

Meaning. Social group work is a method of helping people through purposeful group experience, to enhance their social functioning and to cope with personal, group or community problems. Grace Coyle's definition is widely quoted. The worker helps the group and its members to grow and to reach goals. The group is the medium, and the member is the focus.

Objectives: personal growth, social skills, learning, recreation, support, problem solving, and training for democratic living.

Types of groups:

TypePurpose
RecreationalFun and social contact (games, music)
EducationalLearning (study circles, adult literacy groups)
TherapeuticHealing and change (support groups, counselling groups)
Task or action groupsComplete a task (committees, teams)
Primary and secondaryPrimary groups are close and face-to-face (family); secondary are formal and larger
Formal and informalFormal groups have rules and structure; informal groups form naturally

Models of practice (Papell and Rothman): social goals model (citizenship and social responsibility), remedial model (treatment of problems) and reciprocal model (mutual aid between member and group).

Principles of group work:

  • Planned group formation
  • Specific, shared objectives
  • Purposeful worker-group relationship
  • Continuous individualisation
  • Guided group interaction
  • Democratic self-determination
  • Flexible functional organisation
  • Progressive programme experience
  • Use of community resources
  • Evaluation

Stages of group development: one common scheme lists pre-affiliation (approach and avoidance), power and control (conflict), intimacy (bonding), differentiation (use of roles and strengths) and separation (ending). Another way to say this is forming, storming, norming, performing and adjourning.

Group dynamics is the study of the forces within a group: roles, norms, cohesion, communication, leadership and decision-making. Kurt Lewin used the term. Sociometry (Moreno) maps the liking and rejection between members using a sociogram. Leadership styles (Lewin): autocratic (leader decides), democratic (shared decisions) and laissez-faire (leader gives little direction). The democratic style suits group work best.

Programme media are the activities used: games, drama, songs, crafts, discussion, outings. The worker chooses them to meet the needs and interests of the group. Group worker's roles: enabler, guide, resource person, catalyst, and (finally) one who withdraws as the group grows capable.

Community organisation

Community is a group of people living in a geographic area, sharing common interests, and having a sense of belonging. Communities may be rural, urban or tribal, or may be a "community of interest".

Meaning. Community organisation is a method of helping a community identify its needs and objectives, order and rank these, develop confidence and will to work at them, find resources, and act on them in a cooperative way. This is the standard definition given by Murray Ross. The early landmark in the profession was the Lane report of 1939, which recognised community organisation as a social work method.

Principles (Ross, simplified):

  • Community participation and local initiative
  • Work from the felt needs of people
  • Cooperation among groups
  • Use of democratic methods
  • Local leaders as partners
  • Building the community's capacity to deal with later problems

Process (common stages): study of the community, assessment of needs, discussion, planning, choosing and organising action, taking action, evaluation, and reflection or modification.

Models (Jack Rothman):

ModelFocusExample
Locality developmentSlow, participatory development by community membersVillage sanitation drive by residents
Social planningExpert-led technical planning of servicesPlanning a health service for a district
Social actionMobilising the disadvantaged to demand change; may involve conflictCampaign for land rights

Social action is related. It aims to change laws, policies or structures that cause injustice. Freire's idea of conscientisation (critical awareness) and Alinsky's conflict-based organising are often linked with it.

Community development vs community organisation: community development is the broader process of improving living conditions with people's participation; community organisation is the social work method inside it. Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) uses tools like social maps and seasonal calendars to let villagers analyse their own situation.

Comparing the three methods

FeatureCaseworkGroup workCommunity organisation
ClientIndividual or familySmall groupCommunity
MediumOne-to-one relationshipGroup experienceCommunity process
AimSolve a personal problemGrowth through groupMeet community needs
Typical toolInterviewProgramme activitiesMeetings, surveys, planning
Pioneer nameMary RichmondGrace CoyleMurray Ross

A short worked illustration

Consider a mother who brings a malnourished child to an Anganwadi centre. In casework, the supervisor meets her alone, listens without blaming, finds that the family has little income and the mother has little time, and links the family with a ration scheme and a health centre. In group work, the same mother joins a group of mothers where a cooking demonstration and talks on feeding are held, and mothers learn from each other. In community organisation, the supervisor helps the village to form a women's committee that plans a kitchen garden and monitors the child growth chart every month. The same problem is therefore handled at three levels.

Skills of the worker

A helper in any of the three methods needs certain skills. These are empathy (understanding the feelings of others), active listening, observation, communication in simple language, patience, the ability to build trust, and self-awareness. Supervision helps the worker reflect on her work. Records and reports document what was done and why. In every method, the worker aims to leave the client, group or community stronger and more independent than before.

Exam traps

  • Study, diagnosis, treatment belongs to Richmond; Person, Problem, Place, Process belongs to Perlman.
  • Biestek gave seven principles; do not mix them with Ross's principles.
  • Sociometry vs group dynamics: Moreno vs Lewin.
  • Autocratic vs laissez-faire: the first controls; the second leaves everything to the group.
  • Locality development vs social action: consensus and self-help versus conflict and pressure.
  • Social planning vs locality development: experts lead the first; residents lead the second.
  • Remedial vs reciprocal model: treatment of a problem versus mutual aid.
  • Referral vs termination: referral links to another agency; termination ends the helping relationship.

One-liners

  • 1. The interview is the chief tool of casework.
  • 2. Rapport is the base of the casework relationship.
  • 3. Biestek listed seven casework principles.
  • 4. Perlman gave the four Ps.
  • 5. Casework deals with individuals and families.
  • 6. Coyle defined group work.
  • 7. Lewin described three leadership styles.
  • 8. Moreno developed sociometry.
  • 9. Murray Ross defined community organisation.
  • 10. Rothman gave three models of community practice.
  • 11. The Lane report dates from 1939.
  • 12. PRA tools include social maps and seasonal calendars.

Practice questions

  1. Social casework deals mainly with

    1. Individuals and families
    2. Large communities
    3. Government departments
    4. Voluntary agencies only
    Answer

    A. Individuals and families

    Casework is one-to-one help.

  2. The chief tool of social casework is the

    1. Sociogram
    2. Interview
    3. Public meeting
    4. Community survey
    Answer

    B. Interview

    The interview is a purposeful conversation and the main tool.

  3. The warm and trusting relationship between worker and client is called

    1. Referral
    2. Diagnosis
    3. Rapport
    4. Noise
    Answer

    C. Rapport

    Rapport is the base of the helping relationship.

  4. Mary Richmond described the casework process as study, diagnosis and

    1. Termination
    2. Recording
    3. Referral
    4. Treatment
    Answer

    D. Treatment

    Social study, social diagnosis and social treatment.

  5. The four Ps of casework were described by

    1. Murray Ross
    2. Mary Richmond
    3. Helen Harris Perlman
    4. Grace Coyle
    Answer

    C. Helen Harris Perlman

    Person, Problem, Place and Process.

  6. In the four Ps, 'Place' refers to

    1. The worker's home
    2. The agency
    3. The court
    4. The client's village
    Answer

    B. The agency

    Place is the agency where help is given.

  7. Which casework approach gives short-term help during a sudden emergency?

    1. Crisis intervention
    2. Psychosocial approach
    3. Group dynamics
    4. Functional approach
    Answer

    A. Crisis intervention

    Crisis intervention is short-term and focused.

  8. Which approach is associated with agreeing on specific tasks between worker and client for a short period?

    1. Task-centred approach
    2. Sociometry
    3. Social planning
    4. Functional approach
    Answer

    A. Task-centred approach

    Task-centred casework is time-limited and goal-focused.

  9. A detailed account of the interview in the worker's own words is

    1. Financial record
    2. Summary recording
    3. Process recording
    4. Referral note
    Answer

    C. Process recording

    Process recording is detailed; summary recording gives main points.

  10. Social group work was defined by

    1. Mary Richmond
    2. Grace Coyle
    3. Jack Rothman
    4. Murray Ross
    Answer

    B. Grace Coyle

    Grace Coyle's definition is widely quoted.

  11. In social group work, the main medium of help is the

    1. Single interview
    2. Government grant
    3. Written exam
    4. Group experience
    Answer

    D. Group experience

    The group is the means by which members grow.

  12. A study circle for adults would be classed as a

    1. Educational group
    2. Task group
    3. Recreational group
    4. Therapeutic group
    Answer

    A. Educational group

    Its purpose is learning.

  13. A support group for persons recovering from addiction is a

    1. Formal committee
    2. Therapeutic group
    3. Recreational group
    4. Educational group
    Answer

    B. Therapeutic group

    Its purpose is healing and change.

  14. The three leadership styles of autocratic, democratic and laissez-faire were described by

    1. Perlman
    2. Moreno
    3. Kurt Lewin
    4. Biestek
    Answer

    C. Kurt Lewin

    Lewin studied leadership styles in groups.

  15. Sociometry, which maps liking and rejection among members, was developed by

    1. Murray Ross
    2. Mary Richmond
    3. Kurt Lewin
    4. J. L. Moreno
    Answer

    D. J. L. Moreno

    A sociogram is the picture of these choices.

  16. Which leadership style suits social group work best?

    1. Laissez-faire
    2. Democratic
    3. Authoritarian
    4. Autocratic
    Answer

    B. Democratic

    Democratic leadership fits shared decisions and growth.

  17. Games, drama, songs and crafts used in group work are called

    1. Programme media
    2. Referral services
    3. Survey tools
    4. Case records
    Answer

    A. Programme media

    Programme media are the activities that help the group meet goals.

  18. In the 'power and control' stage of a group, members mainly

    1. Say goodbye
    2. Sign contracts
    3. Struggle over roles and leadership
    4. Share deep feelings openly
    Answer

    C. Struggle over roles and leadership

    This is the stormy, conflict stage.

  19. Community organisation was defined by Murray Ross as a process in which a community

    1. Depends on outsiders for all decisions
    2. Avoids all conflict
    3. Transfers all work to the state
    4. Identifies its needs and acts on them
    Answer

    D. Identifies its needs and acts on them

    The community identifies, ranks and acts on its own needs.

  20. The Lane report of 1939 recognised community organisation as

    1. A law
    2. A method of social work
    3. A tax
    4. A political party
    Answer

    B. A method of social work

    It was an early landmark in the field.

  21. The three community practice models given by Jack Rothman are locality development, social planning and

    1. Casework
    2. Referral
    3. Group dynamics
    4. Social action
    Answer

    D. Social action

    These are Rothman's models.

  22. Which model of community practice is mainly led by experts using technical planning?

    1. Social planning
    2. Locality development
    3. Group dynamics
    4. Social action
    Answer

    A. Social planning

    Social planning relies on experts and data.

  23. Which model may involve conflict and pressure to bring about change for the disadvantaged?

    1. Social planning
    2. Recreational work
    3. Social action
    4. Locality development
    Answer

    C. Social action

    Social action mobilises the disadvantaged to demand change.

  24. Tools such as social maps and seasonal calendars belong to

    1. Intake form
    2. Sociometry
    3. Process recording
    4. Participatory Rural Appraisal
    Answer

    D. Participatory Rural Appraisal

    PRA lets villagers analyse their own situation.

  25. A supervisor gives a mother's family details to a neighbour without her consent. Which casework principle is broken?

    1. Purposeful expression of feelings
    2. Individualisation
    3. Confidentiality
    4. Acceptance
    Answer

    C. Confidentiality

    Private information must be protected.

  26. A worker says 'you must be careless to let this happen' to a client. Which principle is broken?

    1. Non-judgmental attitude
    2. Self-determination
    3. Confidentiality
    4. Controlled emotional involvement
    Answer

    A. Non-judgmental attitude

    Blaming and labelling break the non-judgmental attitude.

  27. Consider the statements. 1. Casework uses the one-to-one relationship as its medium. 2. Group work uses the group experience as its medium. Which of the statements is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    C. Both 1 and 2

    Both are correct.

  28. Consider the statements about Biestek's principles. 1. Acceptance means approving all wrong behaviour of the client. 2. Client self-determination means the client makes the choices. Which of the statements is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    B. 2 only

    Acceptance means accepting the client as he or she is, not approving wrongdoing.

  29. Consider the statements. 1. Locality development involves broad participation of community members. 2. Social planning is always led by community members. Which of the statements is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    Social planning is expert-led.

  30. Consider the statements about community. 1. A community may be a geographic area. 2. A community may also be a group with a common interest. Which of the statements is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    C. Both 1 and 2

    Both forms are recognised.

  31. Consider the statements about group development. 1. 'Separation' is the stage when the group ends. 2. 'Pre-affiliation' is the stage when the group ends. Which of the statements is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    Pre-affiliation is the approach and getting-acquainted stage.

  32. Consider the statements. 1. Community development is wider than community organisation. 2. Community organisation is a method of social work. Which of the statements is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    C. Both 1 and 2

    Both are correct.

  33. Consider the statements about recording. 1. Case records support continuity and supervision. 2. Records can be shared freely with anyone. Which of the statements is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    Records are confidential.

  34. Consider the statements about leadership styles. 1. In the laissez-faire style the leader gives little direction. 2. In the autocratic style the group takes all decisions. Which of the statements is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    In autocratic style the leader decides.

  35. Consider the statements. 1. The recreational group aims at fun and social contact. 2. A task group is formed to complete a specific job. Which of the statements is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    C. Both 1 and 2

    Both are correct.

  36. Match the pioneer with the method. P. Mary Richmond Q. Grace Coyle R. Murray Ross 1. Group work 2. Community organisation 3. Casework

    1. P-1, Q-3, R-2
    2. P-3, Q-2, R-1
    3. P-2, Q-1, R-3
    4. P-3, Q-1, R-2
    Answer

    D. P-3, Q-1, R-2

    Richmond casework, Coyle group work, Ross community organisation.

  37. Match the group type with an example. P. Recreational Q. Educational R. Therapeutic 1. Support group 2. Music club 3. Adult literacy circle

    1. P-1, Q-2, R-3
    2. P-2, Q-3, R-1
    3. P-2, Q-1, R-3
    4. P-3, Q-1, R-2
    Answer

    B. P-2, Q-3, R-1

    Music club is recreational; literacy circle educational; support group therapeutic.

  38. Arrange the casework process. 1. Treatment 2. Intake 3. Assessment 4. Evaluation

    1. 2, 1, 3, 4
    2. 2, 3, 1, 4
    3. 2, 3, 4, 1
    4. 3, 2, 1, 4
    Answer

    B. 2, 3, 1, 4

    Intake, assessment, treatment, evaluation.

  39. Match the model with its focus. P. Locality development Q. Social planning R. Social action 1. Expert-led technical plans 2. Pressure for change 3. Resident participation

    1. P-3, Q-2, R-1
    2. P-2, Q-1, R-3
    3. P-1, Q-3, R-2
    4. P-3, Q-1, R-2
    Answer

    D. P-3, Q-1, R-2

    As in Rothman's models.

  40. Which statement about the three methods is correct?

    1. Only casework is a primary method
    2. Community organisation is a secondary method
    3. Casework, group work and community organisation are all primary methods
    4. Group work is not a method of social work
    Answer

    C. Casework, group work and community organisation are all primary methods

    All three are primary methods.

  41. Active listening, empathy and observation in social work are best described as

    1. Stages of a survey
    2. Skills of the worker
    3. Types of groups
    4. Laws of the state
    Answer

    B. Skills of the worker

    They are core helping skills.

  42. A supervisor helps village women form a committee that tracks child growth charts each month. Which method is mainly used?

    1. Casework
    2. Process recording
    3. Sociometry
    4. Community organisation
    Answer

    D. Community organisation

    She is organising the community to act on its own needs.

  43. Sending a client to another agency that can provide a needed service is called

    1. Termination
    2. Intake
    3. Recording
    4. Referral
    Answer

    D. Referral

    Referral links the client with other resources.

  44. In the reciprocal model of group work, the group is seen mainly as

    1. A passive audience
    2. A system of mutual aid between members
    3. A tool for the worker's decisions
    4. A source of punishment
    Answer

    B. A system of mutual aid between members

    Members and the group help each other.

  45. The first meeting in which a worker collects basic information and understands the request for help is

    1. Follow-up
    2. Evaluation
    3. Termination
    4. Intake
    Answer

    D. Intake

    Intake is the entry stage of casework.

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