Delivering Localised Assistance to Vulnerable Communities in Singapore

Delivering Localised Assistance to Vulnerable Communities in Singapore 4 rd ASEAN + 3 Village Leaders Exchange Program 18 September 2016 – 24 September 2016 Disclaimer: The views expressed in this document are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), its Board of Directors, or the governments they represent. ADB does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this document, and accept no responsibility for any consequence of their use. By making any designation or reference to a particular territory or geographical area, or by using the term “country” in this document, ADB does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area.

Content Singapore and her Changing Needs Social Service Offices Family Service Centres Senior Cluster Network 2

Singapore and her Growth Gross Domestic Product US$500 in 1965 to about US$56, 000 Land Area 719. 1 sq km Population 5. 54 million Population Density 7, 697 per sq km Median gross monthly income Increase by more than 60% 3

Towards inclusive development • Not everyone has benefitted equally from Singapore’s economic growth • Adoption of two-pronged approach towards inclusive development Social Strategies 4

Economic Strategies • Human Capital Development: – Focus on Continuing Education and Training – Provision of opportunities for continuous learning throughout life e. g. Skillsfuture • Inclusive Workforce – Encourage employers to hires Singaporeans aged 55 years and above and Persons with Disabilities – Encourage professionals, managers, executives and technicians job seekers to reskill 5

Social Strategies Five Key Pillars of Social Security Healthcare Subsidised Public Housing Compulsory Savings Education Workfare 6

Com. Care as a Key Social Safety Net • Anchor Operator • Private Operator • VWO – Tender Selection • Com. Care Fund to provide sustainable funding for assistance programmes for low-income Singaporeans. • Assistance to stabilise during difficult times or as enabler to move up the social mobility ladder. 7

Com. Care Scheme Long Term Assistance • For those who are permanently unable to work • Due to illness, disability or old age Short to Medium Term Assistance • For unemployed families or individuals; or those temporarily unable to work • Help them tide over a difficult period Assistance for Children • Supporting the developmental needs of children 14

Social Service Offices (SSOs) To Deliver Integrated and Customised Assistance to Local Communities )

Cases are increasingly complex Family Violence Hoarding Children with disabilities COMPLEX CASES Divorcees Breadwinner Unemployed Elderly Parent has dementia 9

Need for Coordinated Approach 10

Towards a Regional Services Model Global competition Cost of Living Social Strong Coordination Media Greater accessibility Healthcare Cost of Social Assistance services A New Normal Public Expectations Housing Prices Millennial Generation Closer relationship with the community Government and partners Reserves Job Prospect Continuous improvement in the coordination of Economic Volatility MSF-run/MSF-funded social services Industry Restructuring Low Wage Pressures Social Mobility Widening income gap Social Safety Net complete Low knowledge of the TFR available resources Rising Divorce Rate Better-planned programmes/ schemes Increased Urbanisation More ground info/feedback channelled Economic Growth back to HQ Immigration Community Partners have more Ageing 11

SSOs islandwide at a glance… Each Social Service Office will serve a “Town” 12

Functions of SSOs Social Service Office Social Assistance Regional Services Ø Assess client holistically to better understand needs Ø Ground sensing Ø Administer Com. Care if client is eligible Ø Regional integration and coordination Ø Regional social services planning and delivery Ø Work with partners if needed 13

Overview of Regional Services Pillars in Regional Social Services Functions Ground Sensing • Engage local partners and stakeholders • Map out community assets and needs • Identify gaps in delivery through needs analysis Regional Social Services Planning and Delivery • Ensure MSF funded services are planned and sited adequately to meet the community needs • Set and implement ops policies and practice standards for MSF- funded services in the community. • Single point-of-contact for information flow to and from MSF-funded services Regional Integration and Coordination • Coordinate across MSF-funded/run social services at the regional level • Work with relevant regional service providers when dealing with complex cases • Link regional service providers up with alternative community help if necessary 15

Family Service Centres (Overview of their roles and functions)

47 Family Service Centres Run by Voluntary Welfare Organisations Supported by MSF, NCSS Community Chest and/or Singapore Totalisator Board Community-based social work agencies that enhance individual/ family’s ability to cope with their personal, social and emotional challenges. Collaborate with key stakeholders to help individuals and families, especially the vulnerable and needy population, obtain needed resources Long-term goal is for families served to achieve independence, resilience and stability. 17

Services Provided by FSCs include Integrated Practice 18

Senior Cluster Network (Overview of their roles and functions)

Senior Cluster Network (SCN) Cluster Operator (CO) Office Nexus to facilitate service integration Up to 10 Senior Activity Centres (Rental) [SAC(R)] Outreach, Prevention Senior Activity Centre (Cluster Support) [SAC(CS)] Case Management, Care Plan, Home Visits by neighbours Up to 5 Senior Group Home [SGH] Assisted Living Other Support Programmes Befriending Gero-Counselling Home Care Services Low-income and/or Vulnerable Seniors • Aged 60 and above • Low-income: Live in HDB Rental Flat • Vulnerable: No/low family support with complex social needs 20 20

Senior Cluster Network Key Services Senior Activity Centre (Cluster Support) Senior Activity Centre (Rental) • Target Group: • Seniors residing in rental flats • Key Services: • Social engagement, outreach to at-risk seniors, information & referrals, man Alert Alarm System • Target Group: • Seniors with no or low family support, requires assistance with activities of daily living • Key Services: • Case management and counselling • Recruit volunteers to do home visitations, social engagement, outreach to at-risk seniors Senior Group Home (SGH) • Target Group: • Frail seniors residing in rental flats • Key Services: • Care coordination, promote mutual help and support among seniors 21

SOCIAL SERVICE OFFICE PARTNERSHIPS Interface with MSF Interface with external agencies MSF Divisions (E. g. Service Planning or Policy Divisions) SENIOR CLUSTER NETWORK National Council of Social Service Statutory Boards SOCIAL SERVICE OFFICES s FSC OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES Ministries GRLs FAMILY SERVICE CENTRES GRASSROOTS COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS 22

Working Together GOVERNMENT COMMUNITY Working with partners to ensure social assistance delivery in Com. Care schemes, family services and eldercare GRLs Senior Cluster Networks Voluntary Welfare Organisations 23

“We all hope Singapore will always remain the best home for ourselves, our families and our children. ” Mr Lee Hsien Loong Singapore Prime Minister 24

THANK YOU www. msf. gov. sg