Social work practice and education are a reflection of the historical, social, economic and political context of the society the profession seeks to serve. This paper is a discussion of recent developments in multicultural Singapore in social service provisions for the elderly, the family and those with very low income, and the involvement of the social work discipline. The emphasis is on the fine balance in providing services which meet broad societal objectives and also reflect sensitivity to the cultural and social differences and needs of various subgroups.
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