The Impact of Social Interventions on the Quality of Life of Street Children in Urban Areas

Abstract

This study examines the impact of social interventions on the quality of life of street children in urban areas. The research aims to identify which quality-of-life domains change most, which intervention components drive improvement, and how urban context shapes sustainability. A qualitative embedded case study design was employed because street children’s wellbeing is multidimensional and strongly mediated by relationships and service environments. Fieldwork was conducted in Jakarta, Indonesia, across three urban zones characterized by high street activity and service presence. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and triangulated observation and document review. Purposive sampling involved 18–24 street-connected children and 10–14 key informants, including outreach social workers, shelter case managers, counselors, and cross-sector partners, selected for their direct experience with intervention delivery and outcomes. Findings indicate that sustained and integrated interventions improve perceived safety, access to basic services, psychosocial stability, and institutional linkage, while educational and livelihood outcomes remain highly context-dependent. Discontinuity, enforcement disruptions, and economic pressure commonly undermine progress. The study recommends continuity-focused case management, trauma-informed practice, strengthened referral networks, and flexible pathways that acknowledge livelihood realities to support durable quality-of-life gains.