Alternative Care For Children In Indonesia: Assessment Practices In A Cirebon Regency Welfare Institution

Ellya Susilowati; Mira Azzasyofia; Ananta Firdaus

doi:10.58671/aswj.v14i1.141

Authors

Ellya Susilowati Politeknik Kesejahteraan Sosial, Bandung, Indonesia
Mira Azzasyofia The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
Ananta Firdaus Politeknik Kesejahteraan Sosial, Bandung, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58671/aswj.v14i1.141

Keywords:

Alternative Care Assessment, Children Right, Children Well-being, Child Protection, Indonesia

Abstract

Alternative care for children, such as residential or institutional care, is recognised internationally as a measure of last resort, to be used only when family-based care is unavailable or unsafe. In this context, conducting comprehensive and rights-based child assessments is critical to ensuring children’s best interests are met before, during, and after placement. In Indonesia, the importance of such assessments has been formally acknowledged through the Ministry of Social Affairs Regulation No. 30/HUK/2011 on National Standards of Child Care in Child Welfare Institutions (Lembaga Kesejahteraan Sosial Anak, or LKSA). This study examines the implementation of those standards in practice, focusing on LKSAs in Cirebon Regency. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected through an online survey of 24 LKSA’s, interviews with institutional staff and five children, focus group discussions (FGDs) involving stakeholders such as social workers, LKSA managers, and Social Affairs Office staff, and a document analysis of child assessment records. The findings reveal that most LKSAs have not yet implemented assessments effectively in the initial, follow-up, or developmental stages. This lack of systematic assessment affects the quality of care and institutional accountability. The study argues that child assessments must not be reduced to administrative procedures. Instead, they should be involved in identifying individual needs, planning appropriate interventions, and protecting children’s rights. A rights-based, continuous, and participatory assessment process and strengthened social worker competencies are essential to improving the quality and effectiveness of alternative care services for children in Indonesia.

Author Biographies

Ellya Susilowati , Politeknik Kesejahteraan Sosial, Bandung, Indonesia

Professor Ellya Susilowati, PhD, a Professor in Social Work focussing on the Children in Politeknik Kesejahteraan Sosial Bandung. A registered social worker in Indonesia and experienced as social worker educator in Indonesia for more than 38 years. Besides her role as a professor, she also a member of the member of the Social Welfare Institution Accreditation Board (Badan Akreditasi Lembaga Kesejahteraan Sosial/BALKS) in Indonesia.

Mira Azzasyofia, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

Mira Azzasyofia, M.Kesos, a PhD candidate at the University of Auckland, where her research focuses on the wellbeing of Indigenous children in Indonesia. She holds a master’s degree in social welfare from the University of Indonesia and is also a social work educator at the Politeknik Kesejahteraan Sosial Bandung. Her recent publication in the Asian Social Work and Policy Review is titled “The representation of indigenous children in policies in Indonesia

Ananta Firdaus, Politeknik Kesejahteraan Sosial, Bandung, Indonesia

Muhammad Ananta Firdaus, M.Kesos, Muhammad Ananta Firdaus. SST, M.Kesos, is a Lecturer in Bandung Polytechnic of Social Welfare since 2022, Graduated from Master Program of Social Welfare, University of Indonesia at 2018. He has experiences on Disability, Family, Community Institutions and Poverty Studies

References

Aljohani, M., Alqahtani, A., Carson, S., Cattamanchi, S., Ciottone, G., Hennessey, M., Wuthisuthimetawee, P., & Molloy, M. (2014). Psychosocial needs assessment of the Haitian children in the child in hand-affiliated orphanages. The Journal of Emergency Medicine, 46(2), 297–298. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jemermed.2013.11.053

Arbeiter, E., & Toros, K. (2017). Participatory discourse: Engagement in the context of child protection assessment practices from the perspectives of child protection workers, parents and children. Children and Youth Services Review, 74, 17–27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2017.01.020

BALKS (Badan Akreditasi Lembaga Kesejahteraan Sosial). (2023). Laporan hasil pleno akreditasi lembaga kesejahteraan sosial anak [Report on the results of the plenary session on accreditation of child welfare institutions].

Beckett, C., Cross, R., Hewitt-Taylor, J., & McConnell, P. (2015). Developing a process for assessment of the emotional and behavioural needs of “looked after” children: The five rivers model. Journal of Children’s Services, 10(4), 324–338. https://doi.org/10.1108/JCS-06-2014-0032

Bilson, A., & Westwood, J. L. (2012). Making social work work: Improving social work for vulnerable families and children without parental care around the world. EveryChild, London. https://resourcecentre.savethechildren.net/pdf/5511.pdf

Bowlby, J. (1988). A secure base: Parent-child attachment and healthy human development. Basic Books.

Cénat, J. M., Jacob, G., Darius, W. P., Farahi, S. M. M. M., Bukaka, J., Luyeye, N., & Derivois, D. (2024). Assessment of prevalence and determinants of anxiety and psychological distress symptoms in Ebola child and adolescent survivors and orphans in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Affective Disorders, 366, 402-410.

Cocker, C., & Allain, L. (2019). Social work with looked after children. Sage Publications.

Creswell, J. W., & Plano Clark, V. L. (2011). Designing and conducting mixed methods research (2nd ed.). Sage Publications.

Datta, P., Ganguly, S., & Roy, B. (2018). The prevalence of behavioural disorders among children under parental care and out of parental care. International Journal of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, 5(4), 145–151. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpam.2018.12.001

Davidson, J. C., Milligan, I., Quinn, N., Cantwell, N., & Elsley, S. (2017). Developing family-based care: Complexities in implementing the UN guidelines for the alternative care of children. European Journal of Social Work, 20(5), 754–769.

https://doi.org/10.1080/13691457.2016.1255591

Farrell, A., Dibble, K., Randall, K., & Britner, P. (2017). Screening for housing instability and homelessness among families undergoing child maltreatment investigation. American Journal of Community Psychology, 60(1–2), 25–32. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajcp.12152

Fernandez, E., & Atwool, N. (2013). Child protection and out-of-home care: Policy, practice, and research connections – Australia and New Zealand. Children and Youth Services Review, 35(10), 1785–1791. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2013.07.009

Groza, V., Bunkers, K., & Gamer, G. (2011). Ideal components and current characteristics of alternative care options for children outside of parental care in low-resource countries. Monographs of the Society for Research in Child Development, 76(4), 163–189. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-5834.2011.00632.x

Haque, M., Sultana, T., Shawon, N., & Haque, E. (2023). The evolution of alternative care in Bangladesh over the last decade and the way forward. Institutionalised Children Explorations and Beyond, 10(2), 125–133. https://doi.org/10.1177/23493003231187217

Hermenau, K., Eggert, I., Landolt, M., & Hecker, T. (2015). Neglect and perceived stigmatisation impact the psychological distress of orphans in Tanzania. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 6(1), Article 28617. https://doi.org/10.3402/ejpt.v6.28617

Holosko, M. J., Skinner, J. L., & Patterson, D. A. (2013). Social work practice with individuals and families: Evidence-informed assessments and interventions. Wiley.

Huynh, H. V., Limber, S. P., Gray, C. L., Thompson, M. P., Wasonga, A. I., Vann, V., Itemba, D., Eticha, M., Madan, I., & Whetten, K. (2019). Factors affecting the psychosocial well-being of orphan and separated children in five low- and middle-income countries: Which is more important, quality of care or care setting? PLOS ONE, 14(6), e0218100. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0218100

Junaidi, J., & Susilowati, E. (2021). Model rumah harapan melalui peningkatan partisipasi anak di LKS Dana Mulia Kota Bandung Provinsi Jawa Barat [The ’rumah harapan’ model through increasing children's participation in the LKS Dana Mulia, Bandung City, West Java Province]. Jurnal Ilmiah Kebijakan dan Pelayanan Pekerjaan Sosial (Biyan), 3(2), 98–109. https://doi.org/10.31595/biyan.v3i02.438

Khairunnisa, S., Apsari, N. C., & Irfan, M. (2024). Pemenuhan hak anak dalam program foster care oleh orang tua asuh di LKS

Muhammadiyah Darul Ilmi Kota Depok [Fulfillment of children's rights in the foster care program by foster parents at LKS

Muhammadiyah Darul Ilmi, Depok City]. Focus: Jurnal Pekerjaan Sosial, 7(1), 55–65. https://doi.org/10.24198/focus.v7i1.48802

Kirka, V., & Tamutienė, I. (2023). Exploring child participation in protecting them from maltreatment: Lithuanian insights. Children and Youth Services Review, 152, Article 107080. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2023.107080

Kyaruzi, E. (2022). Psychosocial well-being of orphaned children in selected primary schools in Tanzania. Heliyon, 8(11), e11347. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11347

Llosada-Gistau, J., Casas, F., & Montserrat, C. (2017). What matters for the subjective well-being of children in care? Child Indicators Research, 10(3), 735–760. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12187-016-9405-6

Matyash, N., & Volodina, J. (2015). Psychological stability of orphans in crisis situations. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 214, 1070-1076.

Maundeni, T. (2009). Care for children in Botswana: The social work role. Social Work & Society, 7(1), 13-27.

Lyons, J. S. (2009). Communimetrics: A communication theory of measurement in human services. Springer.

Odetunde, O. I., et al. (2021). An assessment of the nutritional status of ART-receiving HIV-orphaned and vulnerable children in South-West Nigeria. Children and Youth Services Review, 122, 105902. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105902

O’Loughlin, M., & O’Loughlin, S. (2008). Social work with children and families. Learning Matters.

Petrowski, N., Cappa, C., & Gross, P. (2017). Estimating the number of children in formal alternative care: Challenges and results. Child Abuse & Neglect, 70, 388–398. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2016.11.026

Petr, C. G. (2004). Social work with children and their families: Pragmatic foundations. Oxford University Press.

Peraturan Menteri Sosial Nomor 30/HUK/2011 tentang Standar Nasional Pengasuhan Anak di Lembaga Kesejahteraan Sosial Anak [[Regulation of the Minister of Social Affairs Number 30/HUK/2011 concerning National Standards for Child Care in Child Welfare Institutions]. https://peraturan.bpk.go.id/Home/Details/112558/permen-sos-no-30huk2011-tahun-2011

Samuels, B., & Brown, B. V. (2013). Differential response: Response to Hughes and colleagues. Research on Social Work Practice, 23(5), 560–562. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049731513487222

Shiferaw, G., Bacha, L., & Tsegaye, D. (2018). Prevalence of depression and its associated factors among orphan children in orphanages in Ilu Abba Bor Zone, South West Ethiopia. Psychiatry Journal, 2018, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/6865085

Skauge, B., Storhaug, A. S., & Marthinsen, E. (2021). The what, why and how of child participation—A review of the conceptualisation of “child participation” in child welfare. Social Sciences, 10(2), 54. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci10020054

Susilowati, E. (2017). Kompetensi pekerja sosial dalam pelaksanaan tugas respon kasus anak berhadapan dengan hukum di Cianjur [Competence of social workers in carrying out response tasks to cases of children in conflict with the law in Cianjur]. Pekerjaan Sosial, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.31595/peksos.v16i1.100

Susilowati, E. (2020). Praktik pekerjaan sosial dengan anak [Social work practice with children]. Poltekesos Press.

United Nations. (1989). Convention on the Rights of the Child. United Nations General Assembly. https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/convention-rights-child