W5 - ethics and professional group practice

Question 1

Multiple clients

Answer 1

• ensure each client receives the same, clearly communicated information (service nature, delivery, etc)
• deliver the same level of professional responsibility and accountability to each client
• consider individual needs of each client and establish individual agreements to clearly outline agreed expectations

Question 2

When planning a new group, consider the following

Answer 2

• The larger system the group members exist within
• The agency or manager who hires you for the work
• The expectations of other stakeholders about how you will facilitate and work with the group.
• The expectations of other stakeholders around what information you will share with them once the group starts.
• The expectations of group members around what information you will share with other stakeholders.
• How regular communication may continue to occur regarding the ongoing progress and outcomes of the group

Question 3

Informed consent

Answer 3

• expected length of the program
• duration and frequency of sessions
• expectations for regular attendance
• foreseeable risks of participation
• how information will be shared and recorded
• who will have access to the information
• process for withdrawal from the group program
• any financial costs to participate

Question 4

Involuntary membership

Answer 4

• While participation in a group is generally voluntary, there may be times when individuals are required to attend a group program (e.g. sex offenders in a prison, inpatients whose release from hospital may be dependent on their cooperation in a treatment program).
• Nonetheless, it can still be important for a group facilitator to conduct a process of informed consent – including speaking with the individual to explain what they can expect from the group process, and ensuring the individual understands what may be involved, including the potential consequences of non-compliance

Question 5

Re-contracting

Answer 5

• you may decide to add a new section of content to the group program, extend the number of sessions, or change the duration of individual sessions. - There may be a change to the agreed membership composition of the group, or there may be an unplanned change of facilitator.
• > when any of the information that was originally provided to participants changes, you need to undertake a new informed consent. This can include providing an updated information sheet and re-establishing individual consent with each client to agree to participate in the ongoing and revised group program

Question 6

Group agreement

Answer 6

• The group facilitator may also establish agreements within the group regarding how each participant will respect other group members’ confidential disclosures. - a written agreement, which can be signed by each group member, promotes a climate of respect and confidentiality within (and outside) the group.
• A group agreement can provide group members with a better understanding of their own role in the group, and what to expect from others (including the facilitator).
• a group agreement can empower group members to share some of the professional responsibilities for managing any issues (such as a breach of confidentiality) that may be experienced within the group

Question 7

Psychological risk management in groups

Answer 7

• conduct pre-screening with potential members
• promote a climate of mutual respect during group sessions
• get to know the personal fears and limits of each group member
• help members explore their readiness for personal insights and behaviour change
• discuss addressing feelings in the group
• avoid confrontational communication patterns within the group
• be alert to group pressure, scapegoating and transference relationships
• utilise established, evidence-based processes
• teach members to evaluate & monitor own processes

Question 8

Freedom to withdraw

Answer 8

• group members can withdraw if they want to but should discuss with the facilitator and potentially other group members too, if they want to leave
• premature leaving of the group can cause psychological harm and members should be encouraged to stay
• facilitator and other group members should not excessively exert pressure to stay

Question 9

New members

Answer 9

• should be inducted privately the same way others were inducted by the facilitator
• new member might be worried about rejection, highly cohesive groups may be slow to warm over lower cohesive groups
• the facilitator should ease the new member in, answering any questions and helping getting caught up

Question 10

Absences

Answer 10

• may be due to a factor such as illness; it could be due to anxiety about what is happening in the group; or it could be that the group is no longer a priority for the individual.
• The facilitator may contact the absent member via telephone or email to convey concern and let them know that their presence has been missed.
• This can help to identify the reason for the absence, and agree on strategies, if needed, to deal with any issues that may have presented for the group member. - This checking in process is essential to ensure that the group member is not suffering any adverse effects from participation in the group

Question 11

Knowing when to refer

Answer 11

• It is important for a group facilitator to recognise when a group member may need to be referred to another professional for individual support or treatment.
• > For example, it may become apparent that the individual is not coping in a group setting, or the individual may be presenting with new issues that are beyond the competence of the facilitator.
• > In such cases, the facilitator needs to speak with the group member in private to share and discuss any observations and concerns.

Question 12

The termination phase

Answer 12

• The termination phase commences as the group nears its final session.
• This phase includes a focus on reviewing, summarising and evaluating the group experience.
• The particular orientation or approach that was used to guide the group will inform the way that a facilitator manages the termination process.
• The number of sessions that are devoted to reviewing the group experience may also depend on the length of the group program and whether the group is an open or closed group

Question 13

Prompt questions when terminating a group

Answer 13

• is there anything that needs to be discussed
• what feelings and thoughts are coming up
• what has been some significant experiences
• how has being in the group assisted you
• what have you learned from the group
• what are some of the changes you have observed

Question 14

Evaluation

Answer 14

• An evaluation process can be internal or external to the group.
• For example, group members may wish to conduct their own internal evaluation of their group experience. -> This can include developing their own evaluation strategies, which may be informal or formal in nature – ranging from regular verbal discussions at agreed time points, to written responses to an agreed set of questions that assess various aspects relating to the group’s process and outcomes.
• On the other hand, the facilitator, or paying client, may also wish to conduct their own external evaluation process designed to measure group process and/or outcomes

Question 15

Record keeping

Answer 15

• It is important to document group sessions – including group goals, activities and outcomes.
• This may include information on any relevant or critical events, such as the referral of a group member for individual support.
• Session notes help you to recall what happened during sessions, and are important to retain as a legal client record.
• It is important that these records and notes are detailed enough to capture the key themes and activities that occurred during sessions, while at the same time being mindful not to compromise the privacy or confidentiality of individual group members