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WHAT IS THE FOSTERING SCHEME?
Launched in Singapore in 1956, the Fostering Scheme is an alternative care arrangement for disadvantaged children below the age of 18 whose parents or guardians are of ill-health and cannot look after them.
There are currently 322 foster children and 239 parents registered under the scheme. More than 5,000 children have benefited from the Fostering Scheme since its inception.
There are currently 322 foster children and 239 parents registered under the scheme. More than 5,000 children have benefited from the Fostering Scheme since its inception.
WHO ARE THE FOSTER KIDS?
These children, who may be babies of a few days to teenagers, have to be put into foster care because:
- their parents are unable to care for them
- they have been abandoned or ill-treated by their parents
- their parents are financially unable to cope or have been jailed or hospitalized.
WHO CAN BE A FOSTER PARENT?
Foster parents are volunteers who are willing to temporarily take in foster children into their family and to care for them. They
- must be residents of Singapore
- at least 25 years old
- must be medically fit to care for children
- preferably married (widows and single women are considered on a case-by–case basis)
- preferably experienced in caring for and living with children, with strong parenting skills and commitment to the well-being of the child
- must not be recipients of the Public Assistance Scheme and
- must not be dependent on the fostering allowance as a main source of income.
Foster parents come from different walks of life with ONE thing in common – they want to make a difference to a child’s life.

WHAT SORT OF HELP ARE THERE FOR FOSTER PARENTS?
- Training is conducted on a regular basis to equip foster parents with the relevant skills to care for their foster children.
- An Emergency After-Office Hours Hotline for foster parents to contact their Fostering Coordinator when there is an emergency.
- Foster parents also receive a monthly allowance for the expenses of their foster children.

FOSTERING ROADSHOW:
Friday to Sunday: 19 – 21 April 2013
Time: 10.30am to 9.00pm
Atrium, United Square Shopping Mall
Bring your family and children along to the Fostering Scheme road show by the Ministry of Social and Family Development. There will also be free balloons and caricature sketches for your family.
I’ll like to strongly urge you to watch this heart-warming, powerful video (produced by a team of talented graduates from Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, NTU) on the lasting difference one makes as a foster parent in Singapore. We may be an affluent society (with one of the highest GDPs in the world) but there is still a small segment which needs our help.
We all have love to give. If you can offer a child a stable and loving home as foster parents, do call the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) at 6354-8799 or visit this website to find out more.
We all have love to give. If you can offer a child a stable and loving home as foster parents, do call the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) at 6354-8799 or visit this website to find out more.
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