Optimalisasi Peranan Lembaga Kesejahteraan Sosial Anak (LKSA) Kota Pekanbaru terhadap Anak Terlantar dalam Menjalankan Kesejahteraan Sosial

Abstract

Children are an important part of the continuity of human life and the nation, and their rights are guaranteed by the Indonesian constitution, including protection from violence and discrimination. The issue of abandoned children, often linked to poverty, has become a major concern. In Pekanbaru City, Riau Province, in 2022, the Social Service (Dinas Sosial) secured 245 beggars and homeless people, one-third of whom were children. This indicates that an increase in the number of abandoned children can reflect an increase in the number of poor families. This study uses a juridical-sociological or juridical-empirical approach to examine the role of the Child Welfare Institution (LKSA) in addressing the issue of abandoned children in Pekanbaru City. LKSA collaborates with the Social Service and the Population and Civil Registration Office (Disdukcapil) to provide legal identity to the children they take in. However, there are obstacles in building effective cooperation with the families of the beneficiaries. The optimization of LKSA's role in the social welfare of abandoned children requires active involvement from the community and local organizations. The Social Service plays a crucial role in being a strategic partner in addressing abandoned children in Pekanbaru. With the support of various parties, it is hoped that the social welfare of abandoned children can be better ensured.