Column: Families with Multiple Needs Require Dedicated Social Worker for Case Coordination
HK01 · 1 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Lam Suet-wai, a former member of the Legislative Council, has published a column advocating for a "principal social worker" system to better serve Hong Kong families dealing with multiple complex needs. The article highlights how current service fragmentation forces vulnerable families to repeatedly explain their situations to different agencies, often without adequate follow-through. The proposal builds on existing case management models already in use for psychiatric patients and disabled persons, suggesting these frameworks could be extended to families in crisis.
Key Points
- Hong Kong's current service landscape includes Integrated Family Service Centres, school social workers, medical social workers, and Community Mental Health Centres operating independently
- Families facing multiple challenges often must contact different departments for child welfare, mental health, housing, and financial assistance, requiring repeated documentation and explanations
- Referral letters, phone numbers, and submitted applications do not guarantee families understand next steps or can successfully access services
- The Hospital Authority's Community Psychiatric Services and Social Welfare Department's disability services already operate successful case management models
- The proposed principal social worker would serve as a consistent contact point coordinating welfare, education, medical, and housing services
Why It Matters
This advocacy comes as Hong Kong continues to address family vulnerability during economic uncertainty. The proposed coordination mechanism could reduce service fragmentation without creating new bureaucratic layers, potentially helping the most at-risk households receive timely support before crises escalate .
This advocacy comes as Hong Kong continues to address family vulnerability during economic uncertainty. The proposed coordination mechanism could reduce service fragmentation without creating new bureaucratic layers, potentially helping the most at-risk households receive timely support before crises escalate .