SWK291: Ms. Jennifer Lim, a medical social worker at Kendang Kerbau Women and Children’s Hospital has referred a family: Social Work Practice and Skills lab 1: Working with Individuals and Families Assignment, SUSS, Singapore

Ms. Jennifer Lim, a medical social worker at Kendang Kerbau Women and Children’s Hospital has referred a family to your agency for mediation and assistance. Ms. Sky Tan has a conflictual relationship with her parents, Mdm Iris Tan and Mr. Tan Teck Chai. Ms. Lim has also requested that your agency looks into the emotional and physical well-being of Sky and her newborn. Your Director at Green Meadows Family Service Centre has assigned the case to you for your follow-up. You refer to the notes in the referral form and gather the following information.

The family comprises Sky, a 23-year-old single parent. She had delivered a baby boy, Andre, one week ago. Both Sky and her child are doing well and were discharged from KKH two days ago. Sky and Andre are currently staying in Sky’s parents’ four-room Housing and Development Board (HDB) flat in Kim Keat.

Sky’s parents are unhappy that their eldest daughter had gone ahead with the pregnancy, regardless of their firm stand against it. To make matters worse, Sky’s boyfriend, Adam aged 40 years, confessed to Sky a day after the birth of Andre, that he is married and has a family back in China. He apologized to Sky and informed her that he hopes to leave for China.

He shared that he will not be able to continue the relationship as he has lost his job as a chef in Singapore. Moreover, his wife of 12 years has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. He wishes to repent and now be a dedicated husband to his wife and a good father to his twin boys, Alvin and Melvin, aged 10 years old. Sky was devastated when she heard the news. However, she knew that she could do nothing about the situation.

Sky had finished her ‘A’ levels and did well enough to qualify for the local university. However, considering that her parents are struggling to manage the family’s financial situation, Sky decided to work to support the family as well as save up for her own university studies in the future. Sky used to work as a salesgirl at a clothes boutique at Marina Bay Sands. Adam used to work as a chef in a restaurant there.

Sky’s parents Mr. and Mrs. Tan, both 56 years old, run a chicken rice stall near their home. Both parents are often busy with work trying to make ends meet. They have been working long hours lately to cope with the increase in the rental of their stall. The couple has also been defaulting on their electricity bills for the past 6 months. According to the report, the couple has an outstanding bank loan of $20,000.

Sky has three younger siblings. Valerie, 18 years old, is studying in year 2 in Apex Junior College. Johan, 16 years, is sitting for his ‘O’ levels this year, and the youngest, Ryan, who is 10 years, is in primary 5.

Though Sky seldom engages in conversations with her parents, she still takes it upon herself to keep the house clean and attend to her siblings’ basic needs. She is also very close to her three siblings. They would prefer to confide in her than their mother, who is perceived as fierce and often busy. The Tan family members are free thinkers. They tend to be introverted and do not share their problems with others. Most of their extended family members reside in Penang.

Questions

1. Describe Sky’s family members using a detailed genogram.
2. Analyze any THREE (3) concerns Sky and/or her family members present. Elaborate with clear case details.
3. Examine and illustrate any TWO (2) Practice Principles Guiding the Social Work Practitioner stated below. Comment on how these two principles will guide you in your work with Sky and her family.
   a. Upholding the responsibility for Self-Awareness & Maintaining a Non-judgmental Attitude
   b. Conveying Acceptance & Empathy
   c. Maintaining Controlled Emotional Involvement
   d. Updating Knowledge and Skills
4. Outline TWO social work roles you would take on when intervening with Sky and her family. Describe your roles with relevant examples from the case study. Explain ONE scheme/service you would link up the family with and how it would assist the family in meeting their needs.
5. Outline a case file note based on the information in the case study.
   Your file note must adhere to the following format and be presented in a table.
6. You will be assessed on grammar, overall organization, and use of citations.