An exploratory study on the challenges faced by social workers working with transnational families in Singapore

Using semi-structured interviews with social workers in Singapore, this study aimed to identify challenges that social workers face when working with transnational families, and strategies to address those challenges. Systemic barriers, lack of cross-national competency, mismatched cultural beliefs and ethical conflict were prevailing challenges that Singaporean social workers encountered. To overcome these challenges, they turned to their colleagues for peer support and supervision and self-learned about their foreign clients’ home countries. We discuss the importance of social workers’ integration of macro and micro practice skills, cross-national competency and proactive attitudes and creativity for effective service delivery for transnational families.