MEDIA RELEASE
$33 MILLION FUNDING TO SUPPORT SOCIAL RESIDENTIAL HOMES
TO TRANSITION TO THE NEW LICENSING FRAMEWORK
The Social Residential Homes Bill was passed in Parliament on 8 April 2025. This is part of the Ministry of Social and Family Development’s (MSF) ongoing moves to enhance the quality of care for residents in Social Residential Homes (SRHs).
2 Over the years, MSF has worked closely with operators to raise standards of care provided to SRH residents. This Act codifies the good progress made by the sector through a new licensing regime, with clear requirements to ensure quality of care across the sector, while strengthening safeguards for the safety and well-being of residents. Key provisions of the Act can be found in Annex A.
3 Along with the implementation of the Act, MSF will also invest in training and capability building to support the Social Service Agencies operating these SRHs.
Transition Support Package for SRHs
4 To support SRHs’ transition to the new licensing framework under the Act, MSF and the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) have committed to a $33 million Transition Support Package (TSP) for SRHs. This package provides funding for SRHs to invest in training and capability building of their staff, as well as to defray associated costs to meet the requirements under the Act.
Training and Capability Building
5 New training requirements will be introduced under the Act to equip staff with key competencies, such as fall risk assessment and suicide intervention, to provide better care to residents. In addition to NCSS’ Professional Capability Grant, SRHs will receive additional funding for staff to attend these courses during the period of transition.
6 In recognition of the need for SRH operators to undertake change management efforts as part of this transition, MSF and NCSS have also included a one-off adjustment grant under the TSP. Such change management initiatives could include reviews of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and processes, to ensure that Homes are able to adhere to requirements under the Act.
Other Associated Costs
7 Under the Act, it will be mandatory for SRH operators to install CCTVs within the SRH. This will complement operators’ efforts to promote the safety, well-being and welfare of residents. The TSP provides SRHs with funding to defray costs arising from the installation of CCTVs.
Phased Implementation Approach
8 For a start, MSF will license SRHs that provide long-term and 24/7 residential care to highly vulnerable residents. These SRHs are:
- Children's Homes
- Children Disability Homes
- Sheltered Homes
- Welfare Homes
- Adult Disability Homes
- Adult Disability Hostels
9 In drafting this Act, MSF has conducted nine closed-door engagement sessions with SRH operators and their board members in 2024, as well as a public consultation via REACH from 21 Nov 2024 to 2 Jan 2025. Majority of the respondents were supportive of the key provisions in the Act. A summary of responses to key feedback received through the public consultation can be found in Annex A.
10 The TSP will help SRHs prepare for the implementation of the Act, which is targeted for 2026. MSF will work closely with our partners towards the successful implementation of the Act.
11 For more information on SRHA, please visit https://www.msf.gov.sg/srha.
ISSUED BY
MINISTRY OF SOCIAL AND FAMILY DEVELOPMENT
Media Release for the Social Residential Homes Bill_Final