Social welfare workers play a crucial role in resolving family disputes, supporting vulnerable individuals and helping people overcome social challenges, Mrs Bernice Rufus, a social welfare worker at Tema Urban Hospital, has said.
Speaking on the role of social welfare workers on Nyansapo Fie, Plan B FM’s family, relationship and lifestyle programme hosted by Akosua Gyamfua, Mrs Rufus explained that their work involves addressing issues affecting parents, children, couples and other family members to promote peaceful relationships and improve their well-being.
She noted that social welfare workers provide counselling, listen to people’s concerns and help them identify solutions while maintaining confidentiality. They also connect individuals and families to available resources, assist patients who struggle to pay medical bills by arranging payment plans where possible, and conduct home visits to support people without adequate care or assistance.
Mrs Rufus further disclosed that social welfare workers intervene in child abuse cases to rescue and protect affected children. She added that they support persons with disabilities and provide guidance to teenage mothers, including encouraging them to acquire vocational skills to improve their independence and future prospects.
On parental responsibility, she explained that social welfare workers intervene when men refuse to take responsibility for children they have fathered. They engage the parties involved and help arrange maintenance payments to ensure the children’s needs are met.
She stressed that counselling and emotional support remain important aspects of social welfare work, helping individuals regain hope, address their challenges and function better within their families and communities.
By: Lydia Owusu
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