Mr Cai Yinzhou asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) how are functions of ComLink Family Coaches differentiated from Family Service Centre social workers in supporting low-income families; and (b) what systems are in place to (i) prevent duplication, (ii) streamline referrals, and (iii) ensure coordinated case management.

Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M: The roles of family coaches from the Social Service Offices (SSOs) and case workers from Family Service Centres (FSCs) are clearly differentiated.

FSCs support vulnerable individuals and families with higher needs and risks, such as family conflict and emotional issues. For families that are also eligible for ComLink+, FSC case workers also act as family coaches, but will prioritise addressing these needs and risks before providing other support available under ComLink+. Conversely, should families supported by SSO family coaches develop higher needs and risks, they will be referred to FSCs to address both their higher needs and risks, and also progress under ComLink+.

When the families' conflicts or emotional issues have been sufficiently addressed such that they no longer require support from FSCs, they are transferred from FSCs to SSOs. There, the family coaches continue to work with them on their goals

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Mr Cai Yinzhou asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) for the three latest reporting years, what are the (i) total number of beneficiaries aged 65 and above receiving ComCare Long-Term Assistance (LTA) and Short-to-Medium-Term Assistance (SMTA) respectively and (ii) percentage these seniors represent within the total pool of ComCare recipients for each scheme; and (b) what percentage of current Silver Support Scheme recipients are concurrently receiving ComCare LTA or SMTA.

Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M: Based on the ComCare Trends Report FY2018 to FY2022, the number and proportion of ComCare Long-Term Assistance (LTA) beneficiaries aged 65 and above were 3,400 (81% of all LTA beneficiaries) in FY2020, 3,300 (81%) in FY2021, and 3,200 (82%) in FY2022. For ComCare Short-to-Medium-Term Assistance (SMTA), the respective figures were 7,500 (9% of all SMTA beneficiaries) in FY2020, 7,300 (10%) in FY2021, and 5,500 (9%) in FY2022. The Ministry of Social and Family Development stopped computing the number and proportion from FY2023, as the figures have remained stable and are of limited analytical use. 

Data on the proportion of Silver Support Scheme recipients that concurrently receive ComCare LTA or SMTA are not available. 

Link to Hansard: Link