The Role of Social Workers in Social Work Practices by Using Information Technology during the Covid-19 Pandemic: Study in East Java Province, Indonesia

Abstract

This study explains social workers' role in implementing social work practices to provide social services using information technology (IT) during the Covid-19 pandemic in Indonesia. Data obtained through online interviews and the distribution of semi-open questionnaires through the Wattsap group. The subjects were 21 social workers—interpretation of data using narrative techniques while presenting data using tables. The research findings show that social workers as enablers, brokers, educators, initiators, public speakers, counselors, and coordinators while forms of social work practices are carried out indirectly by utilizing information technology and social media such as WhatsApp (WA), Short Message Service (SMS), Telegram, Cellphone, Zoom Meet, Google Meet, and Hotline. Constraints faced by social workers in the practice of social work in the Covid-19 pandemic era by using IT applications, including limited internet and wifi network access, the abilities and knowledge of social workers about IT is still limited, the deep expertise and understanding of the clients about IT, and; and only a small proportion of clients have mobile phones.