As the nation comes to terms with the report on the tragic death of Megan Khung, we are all confronted with difficult questions.
The loss of a young life is painful, and the thought of children being subjected to abuse evokes strong emotions from the society. These emotions are especially complex for the frontline professionals involved in the process of protecting children. The approach to child protection work seeks to strengthen and preserve families whenever possible. To balance the risk between protection and preservation, those involved in child protection work, including social workers, bear a highly stressful and heavy responsibility to establish relationships with parents while protecting the wellbeing of the child.
Singapore Association of Social Workers (SASW) thanks the independent inquiry panel for its work and supports its recommendations. We believe that the establishment of an appeal mechanism will provide practitioners with the clarity to resolve differences through a consultation process. In this way, frontline workers are assured that there is a system to support and guide them towards consensus. Beyond serving as a safeguard, this mechanism can also serve as a learning loop for the child protection system as practitioners from different agencies gain experience through this appeal process.
We echo the panel’s call for stronger culture of support for practitioners involved in child protection work. Organisations involved in child protective work have a critical role in creating a supportive culture for social workers. This including ensuring that social workers have access to adequate supervision, guiding younger social workers to manage complex cases, and establishing psychological safety by empowering social workers to seek guidance and express concerns. In this field where professional decisions can have profound consequences, frontline workers need the assurance that their employers will stand by them.
SASW is committed to strengthening our support for the social work fraternity. We will enhance the support we provide social workers, and ensure our training directly addresses the complex realities they face every day. Together, we will continue to learn, advocate for necessary systemic changes, and stand together in our shared mission to protect the vulnerable.
Ultimately, this moment calls us to reflect and re-commit ourselves to our collective purpose. Social workers will move forward from this painful experience with renewed determination to serve the vulnerable. Safeguarding children also involves the broader society including members of the public. If you sense that a child may be in danger, you can call the National Anti-Violence & Sexual Harassment (NAVH) Helpline at 1800-777-0000 or contact the police directly. Together, as a community standing alongside dedicated professionals, we can build a safer Singapore for our children.
Chan Whee Peng
President
Executive Committee 2025-2027
Singapore Association of Social Workers