Part A (Q2): What are the skills of Social Group Work?

A social group worker requires a specific set of skills to navigate the complex dynamics of multiple interacting individuals:

1. Facilitation Skills: The ability to guide a discussion, ensure everyone has a chance to speak (encouraging the quiet, reigning in the dominant), and keep the group focused on its goals.
2. Active Listening: Hearing not just the words spoken, but the underlying emotional tone of the group.
3. Conflict Resolution: Conflict in groups is normal. The worker must have the skill to mediate disputes calmly, turning conflict into a constructive learning experience rather than letting it destroy group cohesion.
4. Assessment Skills: Constantly "reading the room" to understand the group's current developmental stage, identifying power struggles, and recognizing when a member is in distress.
5. Program Planning: The ability to design appropriate activities (games, role-plays, discussions) that perfectly match the group's needs and current maturity level.