Jockey Club SMART Family-Link Project drives digital shift in HK's family services with tech and training

A major initiative to transform family services in Hong Kong through technology and data analytics is concluding after seven years, having empowered social workers, improved risk assessment, and benefited over 340,000 residents. 

The Jockey Club SMART Family-Link Project is showcasing its achievements this week at a three-day international conference that began on Tuesday.

Organized by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, the conference brings together local and international experts to explore how digital tools can strengthen support for families. 

The project, funded with nearly HK$330 million, supported 26 Integrated Family and Service Centres run by NGOs in partnership with The University of Hong Kong and Hong Kong Baptist University.

At the opening ceremony, key figures including Chris Sun, Secretary for Labour and Welfare, and Jackson Woo, Steward of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, highlighted the project’s role in advancing innovation in social services. 

Woo noted that the Club is dedicated to supporting technology-driven solutions and cross-sector collaboration to meet evolving social needs and enhance the well-being of families.

The project introduced several key innovations, including i-Connect—the first cross-organizational case management system in Hong Kong designed specifically for family services. 

The system has managed more than 47,000 cases and helped reduce manual administrative work while improving early identification of high-risk families. 

A complementary Data Analytics System also allows supervisors and frontline staff to make more informed decisions based on service trends and risk data.

In addition, the project supported centers in developing 13 new blended service models that combine online and in-person support, making services more flexible and accessible. 

Over 4,800 technology-assisted activities and 150 training sessions were conducted, improving digital literacy for more than 3,400 social workers.

The international conference includes thematic forums and presentations aimed at sharing knowledge and building partnerships among practitioners, academics, and policymakers.

Both in-person and online participants from the Greater Bay Area and beyond are taking part in discussions on the future of digital innovation in family services.

The Jockey Club SMART Family-Link Project stands as a significant step toward modernizing social services in Hong Kong, providing scalable models and practical tools that continue to support families and professionals in the digital age.