a guide to youth work { who are youth?

}
in s’pore It’s not a silly question to ask. The definition of youth varies from
country to country (see www.nyc.gov.sg/research/youthdefinition.asp),
and in Singapore, the official range is 15-30 years old, while the age
This volunteer-intiated guide serves as a repository of publicly- of majority is 21.
available information about programmes for youths-at-risk in
Singapore. It does not provide information on programmes for But for the purposes of this guide, we’re limiting it to 13-19 years old,
mainstream youth, youth who have entered the juvenile justice which covers those who are old enough to enter secondary schools,
system, or youth with disabilities. junior colleges, ITEs, polytechnics and vocational schools.

School personnel,
caregivers and youth { youth-at-risk? }
workers can use this as
This refers to a group of youth who display gateway behaviours or
an information and
have psychosocial/environmental stressors which may lead to
referral tool; enabling
emotional problems, dropping out of school, or even delinquency. Not
them to make informed
all youth workers like this term though – some prefer “exuberant
choices about relevant
youth” or “youth on the brink of success”.
services for the youth
they work with.

As programme information may change, websites and contact { if you don’t know where to start }
numbers are given for independent verification. The most current
This is assuming, of course, that the youth you’re working with
version of this guide is available for download from the Youth Work
doesn’t have a life-threatening emergency (call 999 for that). A good
SG network (groups.yahoo.com/groups/YouthWorkSG/). For more
place to start is to simply call ComCare Call at 1800-222-00000.
information, contact Jared at theflyinguniversity@yahoo.com.sg
You’’ll be put in touch with a live person on the other end of the line
who can direct you to a relevant service. This is a 24/7 service.
{ youth with family issues } b) Single Parent Family Centres
If your youth comes from a single-parent family, there are 2
specialised agencies that you can approach: As-Salaam PPIS
a) Family Service Centres Family Support Centre (for Malay-speaking and/or Muslims who
have gone through death or divorce) and HELP Family Service
(FSCs)
Centre.
Most youth will have some kind of family
support system, and if the issue is linked
Agency Website / E-mail Contact
into larger family dynamics, then FSCs are
As-Salaam PPIS http://web.ppis.sg/2009/02/ 6745 5862
in a better position to help. FSCs are set up to be the first-stop centre
Family Support as-salaam/ / enquiry@as-
for a variety of social service issues (including youth issues).
Centre salaamppis.org
HELP Family www.helpfsc.org.sg / 6457 5188
In essence, they’re like the social service equivalent of the GPs we
Service Centre Enquiry@helpfsc.org.sg
go to when we have the flu. And if it’s a bit beyond their scope of
Children’s Society / http://www.childrensociety.o
work, they’ll be able to refer you to a specialist agency.
SPECTRUM rg.sg/services/remedial.htm

Each FSC may have its own Preventive and Development

They have a range of programmes to support the various needs of
Programmes (PDPs), but these are usually designed for youth within
single parents and their children. As-Salaam, for example, runs the
their service boundary.
Remarriages and Stepfamilies Programme, for reconstituted families.

And if you need a FSC which caters specifically to Malay or Indian

HELP runs Rainbow, a peer support programme, as well as the Big
families (PPIS-Jurong or SINDA FSC respectively), you can find the
Brother Big Sister Programme, where volunteers are each paired
entire contact list of FSCs at
with a youth, to provide a positive role model and give support and
http://app.mcys.gov.sg/web/faml_supfaml_familyservicesctr.asp#1
guidance.
{ youth with school expenses } b) MOE Financial Assistance Scheme
The Ministry of Education provides financial assistance to needy
a) The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund Singapore Citizen pupils in Government or Government-Aided
schools.

This is a Straits Times charity project which aims to alleviate the

financial burden faced by parents in providing for their children's It also provides subsidy for school fees to Singapore Citizen pupils

education. The funds will also help children who are already facing from lower-income and middle income families in Independent

difficulties in remaining in school to stay on. schools, except Singapore Sports School, NorthLight School and
School Of The Arts which have their own schemes to provide

The quantum of assistance per month is $45 for primary school financial assistance to their pupils.

students and $80 for secondary school students. Disbursing

agencies include FSCs, Special Education/Vocational Schools, Full details on income limits and quantums of assistance can be

Disability VWOs and Children’s Homes. found at www.moe.gov.sg/initiatives/financial-assistance/

Criteria: Pupils who wish to apply for the scheme can obtain the application

a) Singapore citizen or PR form from their schools. They are to submit the application form

b) Full-time student studying in mainstream school, special education together with the relevant documents to their schools.

school, SADeaf Vocational School for the Handicapped or

religious school. c) Lunchbox Fund
c) Age 16 years and below, except special schools The Lunch Box fund is a cash gift from the Student Advisory Centre
d) Living in HDB 4-room flats or smaller. to children from poor and needy families. Primary School students
e) Per cap income $450 per household member per month are provided S$1 a day and Secondary school students at S$1.50 a
day. Once the funds are available, the centre generally sponsors the
Source: children for one entire academic year.
www.straitstimes.com/School+Pocket+Money+Fund/About+SPMF/A
bout+SPMF.html Source: http://www.studentadvisory.org.sg/menu-
links/programmes/lunch-box-fund/
{ youth who are in school} b) STEP-UP (School social work To Empower
Pupils to Utilise their Potential) & School Social
a) School Counsellors Work
The counselling services in school are organised in a tiered system, STEP-UP is the core programme for school social work in Singapore.
beginning with first level intervention by teachers. It’s a holistic programme which targets students at risk of dropping
out of school, anti-social behaviours and delinquency. It also works
If the intervention is unsuccessful or for cases requiring more with their parents and primary caregivers, as well as their teachers
specialised attention, referral is made by teachers to the Teacher and school management. For more information on STEP-UP, please
Counsellors, Part Time School Counsellors, Full Time School visit app.mcys.gov.sg/web/youth_stepup.asp
Counsellors (FTSCs) or external counsellors employed by the school.

For a good overview to the development, theoretical underpinnings

FTSCs work closely with the school management in setting up school and historical background of social work in Singapore, read A Guide
counselling services to students and providing case consultations to to School Social Work (2007 Edition), available from
school personnel and parents. www.ncss.org.sg/documents/Guide_School_Social_Work_2007.pdf

Pupils requiring more intense intervention are referred to MOE

c) Restorative Practices Singapore
Guidance Specialists or professional agencies, such as the Child
RP Singapore is a provider of Restorative Practices/Justice training
Guidance Clinic.
and support in Singapore. They have teamed up with top restorative
practitioners like Mr David Vinegrad, Ms Peta Blood, Ms Margaret
Source: http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/programmes/social-
Thorsborne and Ms Jan Grant, alongside a pool of local practioners
emotional-learning/counselling/
to support schools, community and workplaces. Over 40 schools
have embraced the philosophy /ideas & tools of RP to build
relationships and manage disruptions (discipline) in the classroom.
Source: www.rpsingapore.org
{ youth before & after school} { youth who are online }

a) Student Care Centres Agency / Services Website

Programme
SCCs provide care and supervision to school-going children aged 7 TOUCH E-sports competitions, www.planetcrush.o
(Primary 1) to 14 years (Secondary 2). It aims to supervise Community healthy gaming groups, rg
homework, play, enrichment and recreational activities for school-age Services / CRuSH cyber-wellness
children before or after school to enhance their wholesome programmes, cognitive
development. SCCs reassure working parents that their school- behaviour therapy
going children are well cared for while they are at work. Project 180 (Fei Integrated blog and e- www.egen.sg
Yue Community counselling
Source: app.mcys.gov.sg/web/faml_nurture_studentcare.asp Services) / eGen
Marine Parade Online counselling www.metoyou.org.
Student Care Fee Assistance is provided for children from families FSC / metoyou sg
whose household income is below $2,500 per month. SCFA is Cyber Counselling
available on a sliding scale based on household income level. It Youth Advolution Online peer counselling audiblehearts.yah.
ranges from $42 to $150 per month per child. For details, visit for Health / sg
http://www.cdc.org.sg/1169433071305/1162796276360.html Audible Hearts

For a listing of SCCs, visit

{ youth who need counselling }
app.mcys.gov.sg/web/serv_dss_disability_main.asp?Services_Id=3

Agency / Services Website

Programme
iGROW / Counselling & www.igrow.sg
Psychological psychological services for
Services youth
 { youth who need a mentor }
{ youth with bullying issues }
Singapore has a National Youth Mentoring Plan, and these are some
of the agencies that provide mentoring services.
Agency / Services Website Agency / Programme Services Website
Programme 1. Students Care Service For youths www.mcys.gov.s
Children’s Society Good resource for victims www.bullyfreeca 2. Lutheran Community completing their g/MCDSFiles/Pr
/ Bully-Free of bullying, as well as mpaign.sg Care Services rehabilitation ess/Articles/21-
Campaign bullies and bystanders. 3. 4PM programme in the 2007.pdf
Coalition Against Research on bullying www.hrtd.com.sg 4. City Care Singapore Boys’
Bullying for /CABCY/ 5. AMP Home or
Children & Youth 6. Trybe Singapore Girls’
Action Against Counselling and advice www.dontcyberb / PODZ Youth Mentoring Home.
Cyber Bullying on how victims can ully.com BP International / Student www.bpmentorin
resolve cyber-bullying. Mentoring Programme g.com
Malay Youth Literary www.4pm.org.sg
{ youth who need someone to talk to } Association (4PM) / bITE /staticpgs/ourSer
vices/bITE.html

Agency / Services Contact Trybe / Life Coaching 1-year www.trybe.org/A

Programme Programme programme on bt_WhatWeDo.a

Touch Youth For youths with problems 1800-3772252 key principles for spx

Services / managing life issues successful living.

TOUCHline Architects of Life Providing training www.architectsof

and opportunities life.net
to mentor youth
iGROW / Professional Mentor & youth www.igrow.sg
Youth Services
coach training
{ drop-in centres } b) T-Net Clubs
The T-Net Club is a People’s Association subsidiary that provides
developmental activities through its 8 drop-in centres, each with its
a) NUR own special areas of interest. Members get to participate in creative

Integrated Programme for Troubled Teenagers (NUR) provides an learning programmes, community services and sports activities.

integrated service for troubled teenagers (below 21 years old) who Source: www.tnetclub.org.sg/index.html

require counselling. The NUR helpline (97777 687) assists callers to T-Net Club Location

work through their problems, is managed by PPIS Jurong FSC. Ang Mo Kio 795 Ang Mo Kio Ave 1
Referrals will be made to any one of the 5 NUR Drop In Centres if the Bedok Blk 28, New Upper Changi Road, # 01-714
youth requires more intervention. Bukit Merah Blk 92, Henderson Road, #01-200
Geylang West 1205 Upper Boon Keng Road
Agency / NUR Location Tel MacPherson Blk 808 Circuit Road
centre Marine Parade Blk 35 Marine Crescent, #01-63
Al-Falah Mosque / No.1 Cairnhill Place, #01- 6235 3172 Sembawang 2125 Sembawang Road
NUR @ Orchard 01, Bideford Rd Taman Jurong 1 Yung Sheng Road
Taman Bacaan / Blk 672, Jalan Damai, #01- 6741 7977
NUR @ Bedok 25 c) Project Cabin
Pertapis / NUR @ Blk 1, Joo Chiat Rd, #04- 6745 3969
Project CABIN is a school-based youth outreach project. Fully
Joo Chiat 1001, Joo Chiat Complex
functional classrooms or containers are set up at secondary schools
Ain Society / NUR Blk 235, Bukit Batok East 6665 8130
to provide an alternative hangout place for youths to “hang out” after
@ Bukit Batok East Ave 3, #01-21
school hours. Activities are organised to engage the youth in
Clubilya / NUR @ Blk 107, Yishun Ring Road, 6757 3661
meaningful activities and positive interaction.
Yishun #01-233

The CABIN is run by a group of student CABIN Club members under

Source: www.mendaki.org.sg/content_files/Dept_AboutUS.htm the guidance of teachers and social workers from Singapore
Children’s Society. CABIN Club is a co-curricular activity in schools.
Source: www.childrensociety.org.sg/services/developmental.htm
d) Other drop-in centres Singapore 552 Jurong West www.childrensociety.org.
Childrens’ Society / St 42, #01-321 sg/services/development
There’s a wide variety of drop-in centres scattered throughout
Youth Centre al.htm
Singapore. Do visit their respective websites to find out more about
(Jurong)
their features and facilities.
Catholic Welfare Blk 166, www.catholicwelfare.org.
Services / Tampines St 12, sg/projects/ptc.html
Agency / Centre Location Website
YouthReach #01-357
Care Community 103 Lavender www.carecom.org.sg/oo
Services Society / Street, CarePoint mph/
Viriya Community Blk 47, www.viriya.org.sg/DREA
D'Den
Services / Dreams Bendemeer MS/HOME.htm
Care Corner / Blk 158, Lor 1 www.carecorner.org.sg/s
@ Kolam Ayer Road, #01-1479
Crossroad Youth Toa Payoh, #01- ervices_youth.htm
Wesley Youth 105 Ganges www.wesleymc.org/!main
Centres 1522
Centre Avenue /content/view/279/171/
City Harvest Blk 136, Simei www.chcsa.org.sg/youth.
Community Services YMCA / Bukit Batok Blk 212, Bukit www.southwestcdc.org.s
Street 1 htm
Association / POD Youth Development Batok St 21, #01- g/MungoBlobs/531/702/Y
Centre Centre 225 MCABBYouthDevCentre.
Tech Ghee Youth Blk 346, Ang Mo www.teckgheeyc.com/ab pdf
Centre Kio Ave 3, #01- out/centre.html
2280
MCYC Community Blk 153, Bukit Batok www.mcyc.sg
Services Society St 11 #04-284

New Life Youth Hub 419 Fajar Road, www.newlife.org.sg/?p=s

#01-449 ection&sub=article&articl
egrppk=54&articlepk=72
Singapore OnePeople.SG, www.childrensociety.org.
Childrens’ Society / 381 Toa Payoh sg/services/development
Round Box Lor 1 #01-12 al.htm
 40f6-87a2-
{ out-of-school youth }
c73c212eb0db

a) Youth Link
b) Other OSY programmes
Youth Link provides support to premature school-leavers (or OSYs)
Agency / OSY Location Website
to guide them to return to the mainstream education system or transit
programme
to other meaningful pursuits, such as enrolling in vocational training,
employment, or early enlistment in National Service (for males).
Viriya Community Blk 47, Bendemeer www.viriya.org.sg/
Services / Dreams Road, #01-1479 DREAMS/HOME.h
Source:
http://app.mcys.gov.sg/web/corp_press_story.asp?szMod=corp&szS @ Kolam Ayer tm

ubMod=press&qid=2294 Clubilya / Project Blk 923 Yishun Central www.clubilya.org.s

1, #01-364, (Upper
Reach g/ProgrammesServ
Level)
Agency / Youth Location Website ices/tabid/55/Defau

Link programme lt.aspx

Fei Yue Comm- Blk 145, Simei Street 2, www.fycs.org/index

Care Corner FSC Blk 718, Woodlands www.carecorner.or

unity Services / #01-06 .cfm?GPID=50 (Admiralty) / X- Ave 6, #01-658 g.sg/services_yout

Project 180 Ray h.htm#crossroad

Malay Youth Blk 606, Bedok www.4pm.org.sg

Literary Assoc- Reservoir Road, #01-716
iation (4PM)
TOUCH Youth Blk 162, Bukit Merah www.tcs.org.sg
Limited Central, #05-3555
Yayasan MEN- Wisma MENDAKI, 51 www.mendaki.org.s
DAKI / Max Out Kee Sun Avenue g
YMCA / Project Blk 892B, Woodlands www.ymca.org.sg/
Bridge Drive 50, #01-177 Web/main.aspx?ID
=a510cee7-bfc6-
c) OSY Learning Centres d) OSY vocational programmes
MCYS co-funds VWOs to administer Alternative Learning Centres for These centres provide vocational training for OSYs.
OSYs who wish to continue pursuing their education.
Agency / OSY Location Website
Source: app.mcys.gov.sg/web/corp_press_story.asp?sz programme
Mod=corp&szSubMod=press&qid=2294 The Young 350, Alexandra www.tyem.org/latestevents
Entrepreneur Road, #03-02 .html
Agency / OSY Location Website Mastery /
programme Project Youth
City Harvest 73 Bras Basah Road, www.citycollege.ed Regeneration
Community NTUC Trade Union u.sg/home/Home.a (PYR) Project
Services / City House, #07-01 spx Evohub / Blk 808 French www.nus.edu.sg/enterprise
College Scholarships Road, Kitchener /enterprisezone-
TOUCH Comm- Blk 162, Bukit Merah www.tcs.org.sg/ser Complex #07-161 newsletter/MS%2008/Apr%
unity Services / Central, #05-3545 vice/st_youth/03.ph 2008/Unusual%20scholars
TOUCH Youth p?item=2 hip%20gives%20dropouts
Learning Centre %20hope,%20Straits%20Ti
mes,%207th%20April%202
008%20(Evohub).pdf
Adrenalin 10 Anson Road www.adrenalin.com.sg/Site
Events #27-18 /Welcome.html
International Plaza
{ youth with substance abuse issues } { youth with gambling issues }

Agency / Programme Services Contact Agency / Services Contact

Institute of Mental For individuals with various www.nam Programme
Health / National addictions, including s.org.sg/p Care Corner For those with a gambling 1800-6668668
Addictions Management substance behavioural age.aspx/ Counselling Centre problem or know
Service addictions. 0/HOME / Gambling someone who does
Singapore Anti- For drug-abusers, their 1800- Counselling Hotline
Narcotics families and the general 7334444 Tanjong Pagar FSC For those with a gambling 1800-XGAMBLE
Association / Hotline public / Problem Gambling problem or know (1800-9426253)
Helpline someone who does
MCYC Community Docudrama, entitled www.mcyc.sg
{ youth with smoking issues }
Services Society / "False Hope"
65631641
Youth Gambling Talk on gambling
Agency / Programme Services Contact Roadshow Poster display
Health Promotion Board For smokers below 18 6226 2049 Interactive computer
/ Smoking Cessation years. games
Clinic
Ang Mo Kio FSC Provides youth with the www.amkf
(Cheng San) / Brave knowledge to quit smoking sc.org.sg
{ youth who are suicidal }
Steps while building in the Agency / Services Contact
motivation. Part of the Programme
Youth Infinity programme. Samaritans of For anybody in crisis and 1800-2214444
Singapore (SOS) persons with suicidal
tendencies
 It's centered on the concept www.reachfsc.
{ youth with sexuality issues } Reach FSC / “Alt-
of preparing our youths to com/youth.html
D” – Alternative
be 'dateable' youths i.e.
Agency / Services Website Dateability
youths who are empowered
Programme with the right principles,
Focus on the Recognise the relationship www.noapologi attitudes and character,
Family Singapore between love and sex es.sg/ prepared and ready, before
Ltd / No Apologies Consequences of getting involved in any
premarital sexual activity relationship.
Benefits of saving sex for
marriage * As the Ministry of Education has recently suspended external
Focus on the Parent-Child Workshop www.family.org sexuality education programmes in school, this section is on hold.
Family Singapore School talks .sg/default.asp
Ltd / Let’s Talk x?go=article&a
About Sex id=665
Oogachaga Counselling and personal www.oogacha
development for lesbian, ga.com
gay, bisexual,
transgendered and
questioning ("LGBTQ")
individuals.
Ang Mo Kio FSC Various www.amkfsc.or
(Cheng San) / g
Youth Infinity
{ girls with pregnancy issues } { youth with self-harming tendencies }
There are no specific services targetting behaviours such as pack

Teenage mothers may require temporary accomodation from a crisis slashing. However, the Child Guidance Clinic at the Institute for

shelter while they work out plans for their future and find employment Mental Health does address such cases at the remedial level.

where necessary. However, the locations of these shelters are Agency / Services Website
classified (so that potential abusers will not find it), and it is Programme
necessary to seek a referral from a professional social worker in Institute for Psychological, psychiatric www.imh.com.sg/
order to access these services. Mental Health / and educational services children_guide_cl
Child Guidance for adolescents up to 19 inic.html
Agency / Services Contact Clinic years of age.
Programme Singapore Management of eating www.sgh.com.sg/
BABES For teenagers with child www.babes.org.s General Hospital / disorders such as Clinical-
(Beyond Social g Eating Disorders Anorexia Nervosa, Departments-
Service) SMS: 8111 3535 Programme Bulimia Nervosa and Centers/LIFE-
National For those with pregnancy - 1800-MUM-TO- Binge-Eating Disorder. Centre/services/P
Pregnancy related problems or involved BE, 1800- ages/eating-
Helpline in pregnancy crisis situations. 6868623 disorders.aspx
Singapore Support group for www.samhealth.o
Sanctuary Crisis pregnancy services, www.sanctuaryho Association for patients recovering from rg.sg/services.ph
House emergency & pre-adoption use.com.sg Mental Health / eating disorders. p?s=14
infant care, solution-focused Support for Eating 1800-2837019
parenting workshops. Disorders S’pore
Singapore Psycho-social recovery www.samhealth.o
Association for programme for children rg.sg/services.ph
Mental Health / and youths with mental p?s=10
Youth Reach health concerns.
{ youth with family violence issues } { youth who have incarcerated parents}
PAVe is a specialised service which focuses support to the whole
family, therefore including victims, perpetrators and witnesses of Agency / Services Contact
family violence. The programmes encompass a continuum of Programme
services starting with remedial services and moving into a preventive Life Community Counselling, befriending, www.life-
cum developmental model. Services Society / monthly food rations, community.org/e
Friends of Youth bursary, academic n/OurServices/S
Agency / Services Contact guidance. vc-FOC.htm
Programme
Centre for For families facing www.pavecentre.
Promoting violence in need of org.sg
Alternatives to counselling and support admin@pavecent
Violence (PAVe) services re.org.sg
6555 0390
{ pre-delinquent services } c) Streetwise Programme
The StreetWise Programme offers youths identified as gang
These services are for youth who have not yet committed a crime.
members by the Criminal Investigation Department a chance to turn
around. SWP is an intensive 6-month rehabilitative programme that
a) BeaconWorks Programme
comprises casework, life skills training, academic and career
6-month diversional rehabilitative programme is to help the youth and
guidance and recreational activities.
families stablise existing behaviour problems.

Source: www.nygr.org.sg/pages/Intervening_delinquency.html
Source: www.childrensociety.org.sg/services/remedial.htm

Agency Address Contact

b) Justice Teen Quest
Youth Guidance Blk 804, www.youthguidance.org.
Series of educational activities, such as quizzes, designed to teach
Outreach Services Woodlands St 81 sg/streetwise.htm
societal and relationship values, to reinforce the need for respect for
(Woodlands #01-37
law and authority, and to raise public awareness of the juvenile
Centre)
justice process.

Beyond Social Blk 26 Jalan www.beyond.org.sg/Stati

Source: app.subcourts.gov.sg/juvenile/print.aspx?pageid=7523#3
Services Klinik, #01-42/52 cBeyond/Programs/Prog-
Youth.asp
Lakeside Family Blk 516 Jurong www.lakeside.org.sg/04y
Centre West St 52, #01- ouths/index.html
73
Teen Challenge 735 Choa Chu www.teenchallenge.org.s
(Student Centre) Kang Road g/tcsc.htm