This research aims to identify the efficiency of social workers may assume in assisting Syrian refugees to integrate into Jordanian society. To do so, the research utilized both quantitative and qualitative methodologies: The quantitative methodologies encompassed the surveying of 80 individuals who were participants in the Social Integration Program run by local community centre in East Amman. Of the 80 individuals who participated, half were Syrian refugees and half were local inhabitants from the community. The qualitative aspect of this research encompassed the interviewing of the 20 social workers who were part of the same Social Integration Program. The research revealed that the social workers believed the role of social workers in the integration process of refugees is of the utmost importance: 81,3% from those interviewed who were also part of the training process for the program, highlighted the importance of the role of social workers in refugee community integration. The same level of importance was allotted to social programs focusing on integration by the Syrian refugee participants: 91,3% claimed integration programs were extremely beneficial. Moreover 97,5% from the participants treat the refugees as they are main part of the community, 93,8% from the families indicated, they try always to build social relation with the refugees. Our analysis of host community participants revealed similar results: 97.5% of Jordanians who participated in the integration program training claimed afterwards that they interact with the refugee community without prejudice. An additional 98.3% of those trained demonstrated assisting refugees in building constructive relationships with members of the host community. Moreover the importance of the social workers was also highlighted by the fact that 88.3% of Syrian refugee participants stated their primary referral point for receiving counseling and other services was local social workers. Participants further stressed the importance of social workers in assisting in social integration with the host community. The research recommends developing training for social workers who work directly with refugees that aligns with international standards and best practice methods. It also suggests emphasizing the role of social workers in within all sectors that work with refugees including governmental organizations and NGOs. And lastly, the research recommends the integration of social workers, refugees and host communities in the planning, designing and execution of policies and programmes involving the integration of refugees. Such a move will ensure programmes and policies are aligned with the real needs of all three actors and increase the level of trust and success of similar policies and programs. © 2016 DAR Publishers/The University of Jordan. All Rights Reserved.

Community center human rights Refugees Social change Social worker

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