Abstract:
The purposes of this research were 1) to study the steps of client empowerment in the Settlement house for transformative learning as human capital, 2) to study the role of multidisciplinary groups that promote transformative learning, 3) to propose guidelines for social welfare policy.
It was the qualitative research comprising of three parts, Part I, in-depth interviews with 3 informant groups: the ones who are in the Settlement house in 5 northern regions, the ones who have returned home, guardians or caretakers at the home, totally 73 people selected by purposive sampling. Part II. In-depth interview with 15 people from multidisciplinary groups purposively selected from experienced informants using snowball method. Part III. Focus group discussion with 9 informants purposively selected from the administrators of social welfare organizations, academics and representatives from multidisciplinary groups. All the data were analyzed by content analysis via using descriptive description.
The results of the research showed that there are 6 steps in empowerment: planning the goals of one's own life, acceptance of reality, refection, finding something suitable for oneself, believing in oneself and self-success. The roles of the multidisciplinary group are 2 roles: Proactive; namely, encouraging life planning, self-esteem, having the motivation to change oneself better to have knowledge of rights and responsibilities, having the ability to think critically, taking action, having life skills and positive attitude. In terms of Reactive, there are working according to specific laws, readjusting flexible regulations for independent living, knowing how to work and understand the problems of multidisciplinary groups, and human resource management, there are 3 ways for social welfare management policy: self-support, social support and law support. Recommendations for network; the research results should be used as guidelines for policy, plans and measures. Social welfare provision to protect other vulnerable groups, such as children, youth, disability, prisoners and acquitted especially those with chronic mental disorders, both men and women.