Ministry of Social Affairs Improves Competence of Child Protection Social Workers

JAKARTA (1 July 2020) - The Directorate of Child Social Rehabilitation in collaboration with Unicef ​​Indonesia held a Technical Guidance (Bimtek) "Working in the Midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic for Social Workers" on 18 - 30 June 2020. This technical guidance activity began with a webinar which was opened by The Minister of Social Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Juliari P. Batubara on Tuesday (16/6/2020). The closing of the technical guidance on Wednesday (1/7/2020) was carried out by the Director of Child Social Rehabilitation, Kanya Eka Santi.

Kanya explained that the social work guidance activities aim to improve and provide physical and mental health support for Social Worker Service Units (Sakti Peksos) and Social Workers (Peksos) at the Social Rehabilitation Center for Children Needing Special Protection (BRSAMPK).

"The COVID-19 pandemic requires social workers to increase competence in child protection and case handling. This technical guidance also provides space for social workers to consult, discuss and express their feelings in working in the COVID-19 pandemic situation," he said.

Kanya continued, the material in the technical guidance this time was the result of a quick survey needed by social workers in carrying out their duties in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the technical guidance facilitators present competent parties in their fields, namely from the Bandung Social Welfare Polytechnic, Unicef ​​Indonesia, Professional Social Workers and other Professional Workers.

The activity, which was carried out using the zoom meeting application, was attended by 884 people. There are 770 Social Worker Service Units throughout Indonesia, 82 Social Workers from the RSAMPK Center/Loka and 32 Social Workers from Taman Anak Sejahtera (TAS), Child Social Service Telephone (TePSA), Social Rehabilitation Service Unit for Children with Disabilities (ULRSPAD). Participants were divided into 25 classes based on region which were facilitated by 5 teams so that participants were more active during the coaching clinic so as to help social workers find practical and effective ways to meet task demands and overcome challenges.

The technical guidance which was held virtually could be followed well by all participants, as evidenced by the results of the pre-test which were juxtaposed with the results of the post-test of social workers showing an increase in the capacity of participants. Self Care and Safety was the material with the highest increase, from 35%, up 27% to 62%. Case Management in the COVID-19 Pandemic Situation as the second highest material for increasing social worker capacity, originally 62%, up 19% to 81%.

Furthermore, the material for Psychosocial Support in the third place showed an increase of 14%, from 63% to 77%. The Ethical Dilemma material which discusses the ethics of handling cases during the COVID-19 pandemic situation is in fourth place with an increase of 10%, from 57% to 67%. Of all the materials that have been obtained in this technical training, social workers have increased their capacity by 17%, from 55% to 72%.

Unicef ​​Indonesia's Child Protection Section, Muhamad Akbar explained that this activity, which is a collaboration between the Ministry of Social Affairs and Unicef, is the right effort to ensure additional support for information and knowledge as well as techniques to adapt to new demands in carrying out tasks amid the COVID-19 pandemic "To achieve the professionalism of child protection services, we must continue to improve our capabilities," he said.

Furthermore, Akbar gave his appreciation to the Directorate of Child Social Rehabilitation for showing that the team's performance was ready to adapt to the challenges of developing human resources and maintaining their services. "Even though the COVID-19 pandemic is facing us, we will not run away from the professionalism of child protection services," said Akbar.

Participants were very enthusiastic about the implementation of the technical guidance. The Social Worker Service Unit for Sikka Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, Yulius Wete said he was very happy with this activity. "By participating in this activity, we can obtain materials as needed in the field, so it is very useful for us in the current situation," said Yulius.

The Palu City Social Work Service Unit, Central Sulawesi, Ramadhani Sri Handayani added that she was enthusiastic in participating in this activity. "This Social Work and Technology Bimtek provides a lot of knowledge and understanding of new things in carrying out our duties in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic," added Ramadhani.

However, there are some who experience problems in the telecommunications network for the Papua region and the archipelago. Jayapura City Social Worker Service Unit, Jesa Cristian conveyed this. "We, the Papuan Social Worker Service Unit, are very grateful to the Ministry of Social Affairs for providing technical guidance with materials that are needed in the field, but we are constrained by the network because not all districts/cities have good networks," said Jesa.

On this occasion, awards were presented to the Social Worker Service Unit with the best post test scores, namely: Best (1) Yulius Wete, Kab. Sikka NTT; Best (2) Ramadhani Sri Handayani, Palu City, Central Sulawesi; Best (3) Faizal M. Ramdhan, Sukabumi Regency, West Java.

Awards were also given to the five Social Work Units that handled the most cases until June 2020, namely: (1) Oki Saputra/74 cases, Kab. Pringsewu Lampung; (2) Mas Abdi Yanto Nur/66 case, Kendari City, Southeast Sulawesi; (3) Desi Miftahul Jannah/62 cases, Metro Lampung City; (4) Helpin/52 cases, South Konawe Regency, Southeast Sulawesi; (5) Maura Novstrila/47 case of Lhokseumawe Aceh Regency.

The Director of Child Social Rehabilitation, Kanya Eka Santi, in her remarks at the closing of the activity, expressed her gratitude to Unicef ​​and all parties involved in the implementation of this social and technical guidance. "Take care of your health and keep the spirit of working in the field during the COVID-19 pandemic," said Kanya.