Average Social Worker to Caseload Ratio at Family Service Centres in Each of Past Five Years vis-a-vis Optimal Ratio

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) for each year in the past five years, what is the average social worker to caseload ratio at family service centres; and (b) what is the optimal social worker to caseload ratio based on the Ministry’s studies.

Family Service Centres (FSCs) serve low-income and vulnerable individuals and families who need help addressing their social needs.

The average social worker to caseload ratio over the past five years was 1:20 in FY201, 1:19 in FY19, 1:25 in FY18, 1:23 in FY17 and 1:22 in FY16.

There is no single optimal social worker to case load ratio, as the cases managed by FSCs vary in complexity and intensity of effort required. FSCs are funded based on their caseloads, with more funding provided for clients with more complex and higher risks or needs. This enables FSCs to have the resources and flexibility to hire more staff when needed.