Mr Cai Yinzhou asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) what is the standard protocol for ComLink+ family coaches to contact disengaged households before they are deemed uncontactable; (b) as at December 2025, how many families remained uncontactable after three, six, nine, and 12 months; and (c) what measures do Social Service Offices and community partners implement to monitor the wellbeing of vulnerable children in these persistently uncontactable households.
Answer
1 Approximately 10% of families engaged remain unresponsive to us, although we have tried to contact them at least a few times through various means such as calls, texts or home visits.
2 The Social Service Offices (SSOs) collaborate with community partners like schools, grassroots organisations, hospitals and Social Service Agencies, who may have established better rapport with these families, to facilitate engagement of the family including the children (if any).
3 Where there are concerns with potential abuse or domestic violence, Family Service Centres can invoke powers under the Children and Young Persons Act or Women's Charter to compel access to the children. The Ministry of Social and Family Development's (MSF's) Protective Service may also be engaged to assess the case and determine the appropriate intervention.