Behind the Ministry of Social and Family
Development (MSF)'s efforts is a team of
dedicated professionals, including MSF Local
Undergraduate Scholar Amelia Leo, who strive to
fulfil its vision for a resilient and caring society.
Family is the bedrock of society – This
is one phrase that truly resonates with
26-year-old Amelia Leo, even after her
three years with MSF. “Many people see it as
a clichéd phrase, but here at MSF I’ve come to
realise the true meaning behind it,” explains the
MSF Local Undergraduate Scholar.
She adds, “MSF deals with many cases
involving broken families and relationships
and this has been a revelation for me – I have
personally grown to appreciate my family more,
because having a good family should never be
taken for granted!”
Nurturing resilient families
As a Family Policy Officer, Amelia formulates
and reviews policies that strengthen families
and promote family values, with a special
focus on vulnerable adults – the frail, elderly
and disabled adults who, due to their physical
or mental infirmity, are unable to defend
themselves against abuse or neglect.
Amelia Leo Shu Qin
MSF Local Undergraduate Scholar
Designation:
Family Policy Officer
Studied:
Bachelor of Laws (LLB),
Singapore Management University
She shares, “The cases of vulnerable adult
abuse, neglect and self-neglect that we come
across have been an eye-opener. I’ve discovered
that such cases arise not just from caregiver
stress, but can also be a result of other, more
complex causes.”
Amelia and her colleagues work behind-the-scenes
to form the overall framework that aids
Social Service professionals on the ground to
efficiently meet the needs of these vulnerable
adults.
“For instance, if Social Service professionals
feel that certain laws (or a lack thereof) are
hindering their work or if certain resources
are insufficient, we help to resolve these by
conducting legislative review and asking for
more resources from the relevant authorities,”
Amelia reveals.
Committed to serve
In addition to vulnerable adults, MSF also
remains committed to play a meaningful
role in helping the society at large. Amelia
discovered this first-hand when she undertook
an internship with MSF’s ComCare and Social
Support Division in 2008 and was inspired to
apply for the MSF scholarship – a decision
which took her on a journey that fuelled her
passion and helped her get a strong foothold in
her roles today.
Her other internships with the Office of the
Public Guardian (OPG) and the Legal Services
Unit (LSU) at MSF further equipped her with
the relevant expertise related to the Mental
Capacity Act, as well as helped her establish
good relationships with her team.
A passionate ambassador
Even after three years with MSF, Amelia
remains very passionate about investing
her time and energy to understand,
empathise and help the less-fortunate. She
says humbly, “I may not always succeed in
living up to this ideal, but it is nevertheless
something that I always aspire towards.
"I have
personally grown to appreciate my family more,
because having a good family should never be
taken for granted!"
“On my desk I have a quote that reads:
'As the family goes, so goes the nation, and
so goes the whole world in which we live.'
Ultimately, it’s not solely about the 'hard'
skills you possess, as your attitude and
optimism will help you overcome the inevitable
challenges you will face at work.”