Case Study

Jacklyn brought her sister-in-law, Liping (33 years old) to the Family Service Centre to seek help. That morning, Liping called Jacklyn and was crying over the phone asking Jacklyn to get rid of the children. Liping felt that she could no longer cope with the incessant calls from the children’s schools.

One of the schools mentioned referring the family to Child Protective Services and making a home visit the following day. Liping also said she could no longer take care of the children but that she did not want to lose the children. Wei (14 years old), Bee (13 years old) and Min (8 years old) could be heard crying in the background, pleading with Jacklyn to help their mother not to get rid of them.

Liping’s husband, John (36 years old), was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment for committing a crime. Following John’s imprisonment 3 months ago, Liping was diagnosed with depression but refused medication. She spent most of her days in her room, pining for John.

When John was around, he would ensure that the children attended school regularly. In the past, while John had been physically abusive towards Liping, he had largely used psychological threats (e.g., a knife) with the children if they refused to obey his instructions.

Upon John’s imprisonment, Jacklyn tried to support the family by visiting them regularly. Wei, Bee and Min would hang out in their neighbourhood when Liping shut herself in the room or they would attempt to take care of her when she was suicidal. The family would not allow Jacklyn in their home and asked her not to interfere. When Jacklyn was able to talk to the children, they would tell her that they were doing well and they wanted to stay home to take care of Liping.

In the past three months, Liping had responded negatively when Jacklyn attempted to convince Liping to seek help. Jacklyn had observed that the children had irregular school attendance and, when they were not anxious about Liping’s mental health, were often found loitering around the
neighbourhood.

Jacklyn said that the family was not hygienic, with dishes of rotten food stashed in the sink. She also found bedbugs in the family’s furniture. However, Liping refused help because she felt that she could cope with the children. Liping argued that it was alright if the children decided to not continue with school.

In fact, Liping scolded Jacklyn because she felt that Jacklyn was insinuating that Liping was a bad mother. She expected Jacklyn to manage the
school’s expectations. Jacklyn tried as much as possible to mediate between the school and Liping’s expectations.

Before Liping began to receive multiple calls from the school, Liping had even argued that the family was coping well and that the children took care of one another even when Liping shut herself in her room. Jacklyn is also living with and taking care of her 90-year-old mother who is chronically ill. Thus, she is not able to help the family beyond what she is currently doing.

Question 1

Using the Double ABCX model, assess the family’s situation and appraise the needs of the three children.

Question 2

Apply TWO (2) relevant legislations (12 marks) and the “Traffic Light” Safety System (Study Guide SU1-21) (13 marks), to demonstrate how this help to ensure that the three children are protected. Cite evidence of the three children’s needs that would justify the application of legislation and the “Traffic Light” Safety System.

Question 3

Analyse Singapore’s Social Welfare Model in terms of its effectiveness in meeting this family’s needs. In the process, propose the different agencies and schemes that could be used to help this family. Structure, organization, language, references and correct use of APA style