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Aftercare Enhanced for Youths Leaving Foster Care Or Children's Homes

Type: Press Releases Announcements

Topic(s): Protection from Domestic Violence, Children & Families

Published on 13 July 2024

1. The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) has enhanced the aftercare support for youths aged 17 to 21 for whom reunification with their family is not possible. This supports the youths to fulfil their aspirations, maximise their potential, and make progress in life.

Enhancements to Aftercare Support

2. Children and young persons who require care and protection are placed by MSF in out-of-home care, such as foster care or in Children’s Homes. The majority of these children or youths are eventually reunified with their family or kin. However, a small number are unable to do so for various reasons. For example, their parents may be deceased, mentally incapacitated, or in long term incarceration. After leaving out-of-home care and transitioning into independent living, these youths often face challenges with stable housing arrangements, educational continuity, and financial security. Faced with the pressure to support themselves financially after leaving foster care or Children’s Homes, these youths may choose to work at the expense of completing their studies, and undermine their employment potential. 

3. With effect from 1 July 2024, MSF is enhancing the support for these youths:

a. Aftercare casework service. A caseworker will journey with the youths to prepare them for independent living, advise them on their career pathways, education, financial assistance, and housing options. The caseworker provides counselling and mentors them as they transition out of foster care or Children’s Homes. For a start, this service will be provided by three Children’s Homes – Chen Su Lan Methodist Children’s Home, Melrose Home and Singapore Boys’ Hostel. MSF will progressively onboard other partners over the next two years.

b. ComCare Short-to-Medium-Term Assistance (SMTA) Financial assistance to cover the youths’ housing and daily living expenses. The amount of financial assistance will be customised to the needs of each youth.

4. The enhanced aftercare support will be provided to youths who are enrolled in full-time studies, undergoing training or internships, or serving National Service. This support will be provided until the youths complete higher education  and secure full-time work.

5. Senior Parliamentary Secretary (Social and Family Development) Mr Eric Chua said, “We will provide the youths with casework support and financial assistance as they transition from out-of-home care into independent living. With this additional support, our youths can better focus on their studies or training without worrying about meeting their essential needs. We want our youths to be hopeful about their future and to pursue their dreams to progress in life.”

6. MSF has also strengthened support for youths with disabilities who continue staying with their former foster parents after the age of 21. The youths will receive ComCare SMTA or Long-Term Assistance and subsidies for MSF-funded disability services, such as Day Activity Centres or disability transport services where required.