Performing Social Work in Group Homes for Troubled Teens: 3 Mistakes to Avoid

If you are a social worker who is associated with group homes for troubled teens, you know that this type of residence attempts to provide structure for those young people who've been living on their own with no regular guidance or vocational training.

And, while functioning as an interpreter of the group home experience, outlining the rules or expectations in advance so that troubled teens can blend in more smoothly is an admirable ambition, it must be stressed that social workers are not perfect.

When performing social work in group homes for troubled teens, then, you will want to avoid these 3 mistakes.

Mistake #1 Creating Bias Among the Other Residents

In performing social work in group homes for troubled teens, there's really nothing wrong with wanting to be popular among the young residents.

A mistake takes place, however, when the need to be popular is taken to the extreme. What if you would divulge personal information about the new person who is coming to live there shortly? Wouldn't that create a bias toward this person that would limit his or her chances of blending in?

It's always a mistake to offer personal information about the newcomer in a group home for troubled teens, in spite of how popular it makes you feel.

Mistake #2 Offering Unsolicited Opinions

Again, in performing social work in group homes for troubled teens, it's good to be friendly and supportive.

Problems arise, however, when this friendly approach begins to include offering unsolicited opinions about how the troubled teens should start living and reacting to life events.

Offering unsolicited opinions is really just one step away from appearing conceited. "I'm older and wiser than you."

"You should listen to me."

In performing social work in group homes for troubled teens, professionalism is shown through maintaining a courteous distance, not by the way social workers want to bolster their own egos.

Mistake #3 Setting a Bad Example

In group homes for troubled teens, you will find young people who are grasping at emotional straws in most cases. They are affected by your professional conduct in ways you might not even realize.

Wouldn't it be a shame to be setting a bad example for these people? Bad examples of lifestyle choices come in a variety of ways, and you can use your imagination to fill in the blanks.

Just remember that troubled teens are seeing you as a representative of what society calls "normal."

In sum, performing social work in group homes for troubled teens is an admirable pursuit. But, because social workers are not perfect, they should be on guard against making certain mistakes.

The outward appearance of glamour and popularity are never reliable indicators of a social worker's inner motives and professional conduct.

Source: Personal Experience