The Role of Social Workers in Assisting and Empowering the Social Welfare of Vulnerable Communities
Keywords:
Social Workers, Empowerment, Vulnerable Communities, Social WelfareAbstract
Social work plays a crucial role in addressing social disparities and improving the social functioning of vulnerable communities. However, the effectiveness of social worker interventions is often hampered by limited access to resources and social stigma. This study aims to analyze in-depth the implementation of social workers' roles (as enablers, mediators, counselors, and advocates) in assisting and empowering vulnerable communities, and to identify supporting and inhibiting factors in this process. The research method used was descriptive qualitative with a case study approach. The results showed that interventions conducted through casework and groupwork methods successfully increased the client's psychosocial independence index by 75%. The roles of enabler and counselor proved most effective in healing trauma and improving client self-esteem in the initial stages of intervention. Meanwhile, the roles of mediator and advocate successfully opened access to health insurance, legal aid, and job training that were previously difficult for vulnerable communities. The main obstacles encountered in the field included limited institutional operational budgets, sectoral egos between agencies, and a lack of public understanding of the regulations of Law No. 14 of 2019 concerning Social Work. This study concludes that strengthening the competency of certified social workers and cross-sectoral synergy are key to the sustainability of empowerment programs. The practical implications of this research emphasize the need for improved budgeting policies by local governments to support the operationalization of social work practices at the grassroots level.
Downloads
References
Andari, S. (2020). Peran pekerja sosial dalam pendampingan sosial. Sosio Informa, 6(2), 92-113.
Husna, N. (2014). Ilmu kesejahteraan sosial dan pekerjaan sosial. Jurnal Al-Bayan: Media Kajian Dan Pengembangan Ilmu Dakwah, 20(1).
Pratiwi, S. A., Noorsyarifa, G. C., & Apsari, N. C. (2022). Upaya penanggulangan kemiskinan ekonomi di Indonesia melalui perspektif pekerja sosial. Focus: Jurnal Pekerjaan Sosial, 5(1), 72-82.
Maspaitella, M. J., & Rahakbauwi, N. (2014). Pembangunan kesejahteraan sosial: Pemberdayaan masyarakat dalam pendekatan pekerja sosial. Aspirasi: Jurnal Masalah-Masalah Sosial, 5(2), 157-164.
Santoso, M. B., Irfan, M., & Nurwati, N. (2020). Transformasi praktik pekerjaan sosial menuju masyarakat 5.0. Sosio Informa, 6(2), 170-183.
Sukmana, O. (2022). Dasar-dasar kesejahteraan sosial dan pekerjaan sosial (Vol. 1). UMMPress.
Istiqomah, I., & Widaningsih, M. (2024). Strategi Penanganan Kasus Anak Berhadapan Dengan Hukum Oleh Satuan Bakti Pekerja Sosial Kabupaten Kuningan Pasca Pandemi. Focus: Jurnal Pekerjaan Sosial, 7(2), 132-141.
Niam, M. (2023). Peran Pekerja Sosial Dalam Program Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Bagi Orang Skizofrenia. KHIDMAT SOSIAL: Journal of Social Work and Social Services, 4(1), 56-70.
Fajar, A., & Darwis, R. S. (2017). Tantangan kiprah pekerja sosial profesional di Indonesia. Prosiding Penelitian dan Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat, 4, 29.
Widapratama, F. R., & Raharjo, S. T. (2017). Pentingnya Memahami Peran dan Fungsi Serta Kode Etik Supervisi Pekerja Sosial dalam Profesi Pekerja Sosial di Indonesia. Jurnal Penelitian & PKM, 4(2), 129-389.
Sunija, D. A., Febriani, S., Raharjo, S. T., & Humaedi, S. (2020). Pekerja Sosial Industri Dalam Menangani Permasalahan Phk Di Dunia Industri Indonesia. Prosiding Penelitian Dan Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat, 6(3), 181-191.
Roberts, A. R., & Gilbert, J. (2009). Buku pintar pekerja sosial. BPK Gunung Mulia.
Indonesia, K. S. R. (2017). Pedoman Pemberdayaan Pekerja Sosial Masyarakat. Direktorat Jenderal Pemberdayaan Sosial Kementerian Sosial Republik Indonesia. sikapdaya. kemsos. go. id/uploads/downloadable_file/pedoman-pemberdayaan-psmpdf_5b4d6dad71e16. pdf.
Putri, Y. J., Dewi, S. F., Fatmariza, F., & Irwan, I. (2025). Hambatan Pekerja Sosial Masyarakat dalam menjalankan peran dan fungsi kepada penyandang disabilitas. Journal of Education, Cultural and Politics, 5(2), 268-275.
