pendampingan

Pendampingan is a process of guiding and accompanying a person or group through a specific task or life event, with the aim of enabling informed participation, protecting rights, and enhancing outcomes. It is commonly used in social welfare, legal protection, public health, and community development. A pendamping may be a trained professional, such as a social worker or lawyer, or a layperson under supervision or within a formal program. The approach emphasizes non-directive support, information-sharing, and empowerment rather than substitution of decision-making by the pendamping.

In practice, pendampingan can include legal accompaniment (pendampingan hukum) whereby the pendamping accompanies clients in legal processes, helps prepare documents, translates or explains procedures, and liaises with institutions. It also covers psychosocial support for individuals who have experienced trauma or vulnerability, assistance to families in accessing social services, and guided participation in educational or health-related activities. The work often involves coordination with public agencies, NGOs, and community organizations.

Ethical considerations include informed consent, confidentiality, appropriate boundaries, and respect for the client's autonomy. Potential drawbacks include risk of dependency, misalignment with client priorities, or insufficient resources. Effective pendampingan is usually tailor-made to the context and capacities of beneficiaries, with measurable objectives and ongoing monitoring.

See also: pendampingan hukum, pendampingan korban, advokasi, dukungan sosial.