Relevance of Life Skills Education in Social Group Work 217

12

Programme Planning in
Social Group Work
*R. Nalini

Introduction
Careful planning is necessary for any successful group
and it is a very important, ongoing group process. A well
planned programme gives direction to the group and
enables each member to know and prepare his/her
responsibility. The group worker should possess abilities
and skills to guide the members through an effective
programme planning process. The programme planning
process includes (i) setting goals (ii) brainstorming with
members (iii) planning the programme in line with the
goals (iv) obtaining the approval of the group (v) assigning
individual and sub group responsibilities
(vi) implementation of the programme (vi) periodic
evaluation and feedback (vii) Follow-up

Concept of Programme Planning

Groups achieve their objectives through programmes that
are split into achievable targets, tasks and activities.
Therefore, deciding on appropriate programmes becomes
very important for the progress and development of group
and its members.

*Dr. R. Nalini, Pondicherry University, New Delhi

218 Social Group Work: Working with Groups

“Programme as a concept and working tool is not prominent

in the group work literature. This may be because it tends
to be equated with a structured, goal-oriented approach.
In reality, every group has a programme if we define it as
what the group does as a means of trying to achieve its
aims. With this definition, a decision to run a group on an
existential creative spontaneity basis is as much a
programme decision as is an elaborate timetable of visits,
talks and structured activities. There is distinction to be
made between potential or planned programme and actual
programme. The former is what is planned in advance,
the latter is what the group actually does, and the two do
not always coincide.

Some basic considerations affect decisions about

programme. The first two are philosophical as well as
technical:

a) Structure and Spontaneity: Every group has to reach

some balance between prearranged structure and
spontaneous development. Some groups are so
preplanned and rigid that there is no scope for
response to the needs of individual members and their
unique group. Others are so vague and unstructured
that they drift along aimlessly, without anyone really
knowing what they are there for, or what they are
supposed to be doing. Groups need both the security
of some known structure and the flexibility necessary
for learning and change.
b) Person and Task: Every group is concerned with its
members as people, and with the tasks for which it is
met. A group with person-centered aims, as in group
psychotherapy, is likely to devise a person-centered
programme. A group which is highly task-oriented,
whether the task is located at the individual, group or
community level is likely to devise a programme
Programme Planning in Social Group Work 219

emphasising procedures, decisions and the monitoring

of task achievement. Most social work groups require
a sensitive balance between focus on persons and
focus on task. This is one reason why programming is
a highly skilled aspect of group work.
c) Individual Factors: Programme depends on what the
members are capable of, and this varies according to
age, verbal ability, motivation and self-control. In
groups with a wide ability range, programme needs to
include activities adaptable to individual differences.

d) Group Factors: Programme takes into account fixed

factors such as group composition and size, and
variable factors associated with the stage of
development the group has reached, and its current
state. This includes group morale, cohesion, conflict
and the level of commitment to task.

e) The Individual and the Group: Programme should be

consistent with what has been agreed with individuals
and the group in the initial contract, although as the
group develops, needs and interests change, and
opportunities for renegotiating programme should be
available. Programme involves a blending of activities
which include the whole group with those which
individuals undertake on their own, or in pairs, or
sub groups. As a guideline, individual and pairs
activities may be more needed in the early stages when
group experience is rather daunting for some
members.

f) Resources: many activities need resources, both cash

and in kind. This may be a real limitation on
programme and it is unethical to raise members’
expectations about exciting activities unless necessary
resources will be available.
220 Social Group Work: Working with Groups

Given these basic considerations, the groupworker then

faces a number of questions. The choice within this range
is dependent not only on the task, resources and member
capabilities, but also on the skills and capability of the
groupworker. Group members are quick to sense whether
the worker feels comfortable with the methods she is using,
and if she reveals excessive anxiety and uncertainty it will
be transmitted rapidly to others. It may make them
reluctant to engage in the activity, and more vulnerable to
failure. Groupworkers wishing to extend their repertoire
of activities and skills by trying out a new approach for
the first time, can usually do so with more confidence if
they have rehearsed it beforehand in the relatively ‘safe’
setting of the team or a training session, perhaps using
video play-back” (Brown, A; 1994: 97-98).

For people to be served effectively in a group, sound

preparation for the initiation and subsequent development
of that group is essential. Thorough and thoughtful
planning contributes mightily to the success of social group
work. Planning comprises the thinking, preparation,
decision-making, and actions of the group with facilitation
by the social worker. Max Siporin notes, the planning
process is deliberate and rational, designed to assure the
achievement of specific objectives. The programme
decisions are based on knowledge of social contexts, group
processes, agency policies and procedures, and
assessments of clients in their networks of interacting
social systems.

Principles of Programme Planning

Providing a programme of activities is one of the main tasks
of a group. Planning the group’s activities in advance helps
a group run smoothly because:
Programme Planning in Social Group Work 221

 Members understand and accept their responsibilities

 Optimum utilization of resources

 Better coordination between group members, agency

and the worker in accomplishment of objectives

Programmes in group work have to be effective since the

groups’ effectiveness is largely dependent on its
programmes. Programme planning is an instrument in the
hands of the group and the worker and its efficient use
results in feasible, well thought out programmes.
Programme planning in social group work has to follow
certain principles, termed by Trecker (1955) as the ‘criteria
of effectiveness’:

 Programme should grow out of the needs and interests

of the individuals who compose the group

 Programme should take into account such factors as

age of group members, cultural background, and
economic differences

 Programme should provide individuals with

experiences and opportunities which they voluntarily
choose to pursue because of their inherent values

 Programme should be flexible and varied to satisfy a

variety of needs and interests and to afford a maximum
number of opportunities for participation

 Programme should evolve from the simple to the more

complex with movement coming as a result of group
growth in ability and readiness. Movement from
initially “personal” to “social” or “community” concerns
should be an ultimate objective if our programmes
are to have a greater social significance.
222 Social Group Work: Working with Groups

A Set of Guidelines to Programme Planning

Stage 1
 What is the objective of the programme?
 What is the group members’ wants/welfare
 What are the resources accessible?
 What is the relevance of the programme to the
group’s objective?
Stage 2
 Splitting the programme into smaller realizable
goals and tasks
 Actual implementation commences
Stage 3
 Periodic evaluation of the programme and
progressing to the next phase of the programme
based on the evaluation and inputs of members
themselves
Stage 4
 Reflection – giving members a chance to look back
on their experiences of the programme and see
how they have progressed, in the process.

Factors Influencing Programme Planning

All initiatives and efforts of the group in pursuit of fulfilling
its goal is considered to be a programme in the social group
work context. Though one tends to equate programme with
activity, let us be clear that programme is a concept that
comprises of not only activities but also emotional aspects
such as group bonding, communications, experiences etc.
One important aspect is that all these should result out of
conscious planning by the group under the guidance of
the worker. Programme is thus a process rather than the
Programme Planning in Social Group Work 223

periodic culmination of a process. In the light of the above,

let us discuss the factors influencing programme planning:
The primary responsibility for programmes in groups lies
with its group members – the group worker is only a
facilitator in the entire process. The programmes have to
be person-centered, catering to the requirements of its
members. The group members, therefore, have to engage
themselves to their best possible extent in programme
planning, fully understanding that its successful
implementation calls for their cooperation and
contribution.
If a programme has to be person-centered, it has to respond
to the wants and welfare of the group members. The group
worker has to make the group understand that (i) there is
a vast distinction between the wants of the group members
and their welfare (ii) This can be gathered when group
members put across their views during programme
planning sessions. However, when group starts spelling
out ideas for the programme, the worker needs to carefully
evaluate them on the basis of collective interests, fine
foundation, feasibility in terms of resources and agency’s
objectives, feasibility of personal partaking of members
and also of group’s cooperation.
It is of equal importance that the worker consistently taps
the wants and welfare of the group from its members.
Gathering this vital information is not a one time affair to
be done in the initial stages of the programme, but has to
flow at periodic intervals to ensure that the programme is
on the right path. The worker has to understand and also
convey to the group members that programme planning is
an ongoing process – that as the programme evolves in
sequence, one could comprehend the group’s progress as
well.
Any discussion of programme in social group work must
take into account such items as content and area, media
224 Social Group Work: Working with Groups

of expression, and methods of conducting it. Programme

area or content refers to a segment of life experience that
has general meaning for the individuals at their specific
point of development. The programme process is not
segmental; in actual work all these are interrelated and
almost indistinguishable (Trecker; 1955).
In order to grow and execute its programmes, the group
has to have systems for:
 Decision-making and its support from group members
 Delegation of responsibilities and its accountability
 Develop whole-hearted involvement of all the group
members, in all the phases of a programme such as
planning, execution, evaluation etc.
 Direct day-to-day affairs of the agency and its members
The group worker enables the group to understand their
role in programme planning and implementation – that
programmes are successful largely due to the members’
willingness to share responsibilities. During the planning
stages, the group members should clearly assign and
accept duties and responsibilities – individually, in pairs
or through forming smaller committees within the group.
The group worker assists the members in functioning in
unity towards executing the programme.
Healthy, purposeful and friendly communication among
group members is the essence of programme planning and
development. The group worker’s role here is imperative.
He steers the group members to meaningful
communication which in turn leads to the group working
towards aims that reciprocate with the agency’s
functioning. Thus communication is a fundamental mode
on the road to the group’s goals.
Thus, the programme planning process is influenced by
various factors such as: (i) consistent unearthing of the
Programme Planning in Social Group Work 225

wants and welfare of members (ii) identification of the point

wherein the programme shall commence (iii) studying and
scrutinizing work responsibilities involved in programme
execution (iv) delegating duties and responsibilities to
various members (v) synchronization of individual efforts
and striving for harmony among the group members and
programme evaluation
A Sample Programme
The following is a very brief outline of a programme to
help a group learn listening skills.
 The ‘Indicators’ are how the leader identified the need
of the group and what skill to develop
 The ‘Activities’ are how the group learned and practiced
the skills
 The ‘Skills Practiced’ breaks the skill down into small
achievable steps and each activity is matched to the
step it helps the group to take
 ‘The Learning’ is the aim of the programme/activity

Identify The Need Activities Skills Practiced The Learning

A group has Group games asking and Listening is
trouble listening to waiting for a reply important for
each other listening for having fun and
Indicators another person’s achieving
 Members have voice
trouble taking Listening Awareness of What skills
turns to make a games & listening skills make me a
point group better listener
 disagreements discussion
caused by not Practice of the The group
Problem
taking time to skills learnt so works better
solving game
understand far Practicing when we listen
in which the
others the skills to each other
group has to
 difficult to listen to each Recognition for
facilitate group other being good at
discussions the skills