diff --git a/VERSION b/VERSION
index 9faa1b7..c946ee6 100644
--- a/VERSION
+++ b/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-0.1.5
+0.1.6
diff --git a/edc_permissions/permissions_updater.py b/edc_permissions/permissions_updater.py
index a32652e..60b2c2d 100644
--- a/edc_permissions/permissions_updater.py
+++ b/edc_permissions/permissions_updater.py
@@ -298,3 +298,21 @@ def add_edc_appointment_permissions(self, group):
             content_type__app_label='edc_appointment',
             codename='delete_appointment')
         group.permissions.remove(permission)
+
+    def ensure_users_in_group(self, group_name, users_by_groups=None):
+        group = Group.objects.get(name=group_name)
+        for user in User.objects.filter(groups__name__in=users_by_groups):
+            try:
+                user.groups.get(name=group.name)
+            except ObjectDoesNotExist:
+                user.groups.add(group)
+
+    def ensure_users_not_in_group(self, group_name, users_by_groups=None):
+        group = Group.objects.get(name=group_name)
+        for user in User.objects.filter(groups__name__in=users_by_groups):
+            try:
+                user.groups.get(name=group.name)
+            except ObjectDoesNotExist:
+                pass
+            else:
+                user.groups.remove(group)