TAHAP PENGAMALAN PRAKTIS KERJA SOSIAL DALAM KALANGAN PEGAWAI KEBAJIKAN DI MALAYSIA [THE LEVEL OF SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE AMONG MALAYSIAN SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICERS]

Tujuan dan Latarbelakang: Kualiti penyampaian khidmat kerja sosial oleh pegawai kebajikan masyarakat dipengaruhi oleh latar belakang pengetahuan dan kemahiran kerja sosial yang mereka miliki. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk menilai tahap pengamalan praktis kerja sosial dalam kalangan pegawai kebajikan di Malaysia.   Metodologi: Pendekatan kuantitatif yang menggunakan reka bentuk tinjauan telah dilakukan ke atas 305 orang Penolong Pegawai dan Pembantu Pembangunan Masyarakat Gred 19 hingga Gred 38 terpilih yang berkhidmat di Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat di seluruh negara. Persampelan rawak mudah digunakan bagi mendapatkan responden. Tahap pengamalan terhadap praktis kerja sosial diukur berdasarkan Kerangka Kompetensi Kerja Sosial Nasional Singapura dan Piawaian Kompetensi Praktis Kerja Sosial Kebangsaan.   Dapatan: Tahap pengamalan terhadap praktis kerja sosial dalam kalangan responden menunjukkan skor yang tinggi.   Sumbangan: Bersandarkan dapatan kajian, tiga inisiatif bagi meningkatkan lagi kualiti pengamalan dan penyampaian praktis kerja sosial dalam kalangan pegawai kebajikan di negara ini telah dicadangkan iaitu i) pengukuhan program latihan; ii) penetapan semula maksud kecekapan dalam pengamalan; dan iii) penetapan pengamalan berdasarkan kod etika.   Kata kunci: Tahap pengamalan, praktis kerja sosial, penyampaian khidmat kerja sosial, pegawai kebajikan, Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat Malaysia (JKM).   ABSTRACT Background and Purpose: The quality of social service delivery by welfare officers is influenced by the knowledge and social work skills they possess. This paper aims to study the level of social work practice among welfare officers in Malaysia.   Methodology: A quantitative approach using survey design was used to collect data from 305 Community Development Assistant Officers and Community Development Helper Grades 19 through 38 who served in the Social Welfare Department across Malaysia.  The respondents were selected using simple random sampling. The level of social work practice was measured using the Singapore National Social Work Competency Framework and the National Social Work Practise Competency Standards.   Findings: The findings showed that the level of social work practice among the respondents is at high score.   Contribution: Based on the findings, three initiatives to improve the quality of social work practce among welfare officers are recommended: i) strengthening training programs; ii) redefining the meaning of practice; and iii) establishing practice based on ethical code.   Keywords: Level of practise, social work practise, welfare officer, delivery of social services, Department of Social Welfare Malaysia (JKM)   Cite As: Siti Hajar, A. B. A., Haris, A. W., Noralina, O., Mashitah, H., Zaiton, A., Al Azmi, B., ... Azreen, R. (2020). Tahap pengamalan praktis kerja sosial dalam kalangan pegawai kebajikan  di Malaysia [The level of social work practice among Malaysian social welfare officers]. Journal of Nusantara Studies, 5(2), 68-85. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol5iss2pp68-8