Director General of Social Rehabilitation: Build Strategic Partnership with Social Office

JAKARTA (August 19, 2020) - Director General of Social Rehabilitation of the Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs, Harry Hikmat as a speaker in the Capacity Building webinar "Building Strategic Partnerships with Local Social Services" organized by the Indonesian Child Protection Agency (LPAI).

"The spirit that we build going forward is how to build a strategic partnership between LPAI and the Provincial/District/City Social Office that is effective in the context of efforts to advance child protection throughout Indonesia," said Harry.

The Director General of Social Rehabilitation explained that according to the Minister of Social Affairs Regulation Number 14 of 2016 on concerning the Position of the Social Office, there are three types of social services in the administration of government affairs in the social sector which are the authority of the region.

First, type A for the intensity and large workload. Second, type B for moderate intensity and workload. Third, type C for the intensity and small workload. "The division of the type of social service will of course affect the responsibility, response and workload for cases of children," said Harry.

In-depth information about the existence of the authority to provide child protection needs to be conveyed to LPAs in the regions. Without sufficient knowledge, partnership relationships only look from the outside. "We hope that the existence of the Regional LPA can bridge and ensure strategic steps for handling cases, including case management. So the LPA's function is very important, ensuring collaboration between various parties including hand in hand with local social services," explained Harry.

The level of case handling, efforts to fulfill children's rights and protection of children from neglect, exploitation, violence and even discrimination can be carried out according to the level of the case. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is necessary to build a constructive collaboration on the basis of professional equality so that we can strengthen each other and work hand in hand to become a super team, not superman.

The Ministry of Social Affairs continues to strive to do progressive things, later social rehabilitation efforts will be positioned as an inseparable part of other programs. Harry added, one way to strengthen the coordination function is through the application of Government Regulation No. 59 of 2019 on concerning the Implementation of Child Protection Coordination. "Currently, what needs to be done together is in terms of fulfilling children's rights, synergistic and harmonious working relationships, as well as data and information that can be accessed," said Harry.

The Ministry of Social Affairs is one step ahead in protecting children based on the level of risk. Cases of high-risk children must be carried out with an effort to ensure that children's rights can be fulfilled and avoid further risks.

Furthermore, the Director General of Social Affairs also explained about partnerships with social services and stakeholders in the Integrative Child Social Welfare Program (PKSAI) to be able to handle cases effectively, with integrated services needed and responsibilities across sectors.

 "At the regional level, the responsibility for implementing services is spread across all relevant regional apparatus according to their duties and functions, by involving community institutions, universities, the business world and other stakeholders who have a concern for the welfare and protection of children," said Harry.

The Ministry of Social Affairs through Social Rehabilitation Center for the Children Needing Special Protection (AMPK) as a center for social protection and rehabilitation in the regions because it has the authority to provide direct services.

Director of Child Social Rehabilitation, Kanya Eka Santi in a question and answer session with participants revealed the importance of cooperation in child protection. "We really have to work with all parties, including the Social Office, the AMPK, the Social Worker Service Unit (Sakti Peksos), including religious and community leaders," said Kanya.

In addition, in protecting children, the Ministry of Social Affairs also carries out prevention efforts. This shows that the programs that have been running so far are not only downstream but also upstream.

The General Chairman of LPAI, Seto Mulyadi conveyed the LPAI action plan related to the synergy of child protection stakeholders that would soon be carried out. "LPAI will strengthen Regional LPAs. And also reinvigorate community empowerment through SPARTA (Section for Child Protection at the Household Level) which has been carried out by LPAI since 2011," said Kak Seto.

Kak Heni as the Daily Chairwoman of LPAI described the planned activities of the Indonesian Children's Congress which will be held on September 21-23 2020 by involving 1000 children.

"Social services please support to provide a forum for children's participation rights so that they can voice their ideas and voices. We also hope that Indonesian children will be able to become pioneers in overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic," hoped Kak Heni.

This capacity building webinar was attended by 130 people, consisting of provincial/district/city social services, social workers and provincial/district/city LPA.