This volunteer-intiated guide serves as a repository of publicly-

available information about programmes for youths-at-risk in

Singapore. It does not provide information on programmes for

mainstream youth, youth who have entered the juvenile justice

system, or youth with disabilities.

School personnel,

caregivers and youth

workers can use this as

an information and

referral tool; enabling

them to make informed

choices about relevant

services for the youth

they work with.

As programme information may change, websites and contact

numbers are given for independent verification. The most current

version of this guide is available for download from the Youth Work

SG network (groups.yahoo.com/groups/YouthWorkSG/). For more

information, contact Jared at theflyinguniversity@yahoo.com.sg

{ who are youth? }

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

of majority is 21.

But for the purposes of this guide, we’re limiting it to 13-19 years old,

which covers those who are old enough to enter secondary schools,

junior colleges, ITEs, polytechnics and vocational schools.

{ youth-at-risk? }

This refers to a group of youth who display gateway behaviours or

have psychosocial/environmental stressors which may lead to

emotional problems, dropping out of school, or even delinquency. Not

all youth workers like this term though – some prefer “exuberant

youth” or “youth on the brink of success”.

{ if you don’t know where to start }

This is assuming, of course, that the youth you’re working with

doesn’t have a life-threatening emergency (call 999 for that). A good

place to start is to simply call ComCare Call at 1800-222-00000.

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.

a guide to youth work

in s’pore

{ youth with family issues }

a) Family Service Centres

(FSCs)

Most youth will have some kind of family

support system, and if the issue is linked

into larger family dynamics, then FSCs are

in a better position to help. FSCs are set up to be the first-stop centre

for a variety of social service issues (including youth issues).

In essence, they’re like the social service equivalent of the GPs we

go to when we have the flu. And if it’s a bit beyond their scope of

work, they’ll be able to refer you to a specialist agency.

Each FSC may have its own Preventive and Development

Programmes (PDPs), but these are usually designed for youth within

their service boundary.

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

families (PPIS-Jurong or SINDA FSC respectively), you can find the

entire contact list of FSCs at

http://app.mcys.gov.sg/web/faml_supfaml_familyservicesctr.asp#1

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

Family Support Centre (for Malay-speaking and/or Muslims who

have gone through death or divorce) and HELP Family Service

Centre.

Agency Website / E-mail Contact

As-Salaam PPIS

Family Support

Centre

http://web.ppis.sg/2009/02/

as-salaam/ / enquiry@as-

salaamppis.org

6745 5862

HELP Family

Service Centre

www.helpfsc.org.sg /

Enquiry@helpfsc.org.sg

6457 5188

Children’s Society /

SPECTRUM

http://www.childrensociety.o

rg.sg/services/remedial.htm

They have a range of programmes to support the various needs of

single parents and their children. As-Salaam, for example, runs the

Remarriages and Stepfamilies Programme, for reconstituted families.

HELP runs Rainbow, a peer support programme, as well as the Big

Brother Big Sister Programme, where volunteers are each paired

with a youth, to provide a positive role model and give support and

guidance.

{ youth with school expenses }

a) The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund

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

financial burden faced by parents in providing for their children's

education. The funds will also help children who are already facing

difficulties in remaining in school to stay on.

The quantum of assistance per month is $45 for primary school

students and $80 for secondary school students. Disbursing

agencies include FSCs, Special Education/Vocational Schools,

Disability VWOs and Children’s Homes.

Criteria:

a) Singapore citizen or PR

b) Full-time student studying in mainstream school, special education

school, SADeaf Vocational School for the Handicapped or

religious school.

c) Age 16 years and below, except special schools

d) Living in HDB 4-room flats or smaller.

e) Per cap income $450 per household member per month

Source:

www.straitstimes.com/School+Pocket+Money+Fund/About+SPMF/A

bout+SPMF.html

b) MOE Financial Assistance Scheme

The Ministry of Education provides financial assistance to needy

Singapore Citizen pupils in Government or Government-Aided

schools.

It also provides subsidy for school fees to Singapore Citizen pupils

from lower-income and middle income families in Independent

schools, except Singapore Sports School, NorthLight School and

School Of The Arts which have their own schemes to provide

financial assistance to their pupils.

Full details on income limits and quantums of assistance can be

found at www.moe.gov.sg/initiatives/financial-assistance/

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

form from their schools. They are to submit the application form

together with the relevant documents to their schools.

c) Lunchbox Fund

The Lunch Box fund is a cash gift from the Student Advisory Centre

to children from poor and needy families. Primary School students

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

children for one entire academic year.

Source: http://www.studentadvisory.org.sg/menu-

links/programmes/lunch-box-fund/

{ youth who are in school}

a) School Counsellors

The counselling services in school are organised in a tiered system,

beginning with first level intervention by teachers.

If the intervention is unsuccessful or for cases requiring more

specialised attention, referral is made by teachers to the Teacher

Counsellors, Part Time School Counsellors, Full Time School

Counsellors (FTSCs) or external counsellors employed by the school.

FTSCs work closely with the school management in setting up school

counselling services to students and providing case consultations to

school personnel and parents.

Pupils requiring more intense intervention are referred to MOE

Guidance Specialists or professional agencies, such as the Child

Guidance Clinic.

Source: http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/programmes/social-

emotional-learning/counselling/

b) STEP-UP (School social work To Empower

Pupils to Utilise their Potential) & School Social

Work

STEP-UP is the core programme for school social work in Singapore.

It’s a holistic programme which targets students at risk of dropping

out of school, anti-social behaviours and delinquency. It also works

with their parents and primary caregivers, as well as their teachers

and school management. For more information on STEP-UP, please

visit app.mcys.gov.sg/web/youth_stepup.asp

For a good overview to the development, theoretical underpinnings

and historical background of social work in Singapore, read A Guide

to School Social Work (2007 Edition), available from

www.ncss.org.sg/documents/Guide_School_Social_Work_2007.pdf

c) Restorative Practices Singapore

RP Singapore is a provider of Restorative Practices/Justice training

and support in Singapore. They have teamed up with top restorative

practitioners like Mr David Vinegrad, Ms Peta Blood, Ms Margaret

Thorsborne and Ms Jan Grant, alongside a pool of local practioners

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}

a) Student Care Centres

SCCs provide care and supervision to school-going children aged 7

(Primary 1) to 14 years (Secondary 2). It aims to supervise

homework, play, enrichment and recreational activities for school-age

children before or after school to enhance their wholesome

development. SCCs reassure working parents that their school-

going children are well cared for while they are at work.

Source: app.mcys.gov.sg/web/faml_nurture_studentcare.asp

Student Care Fee Assistance is provided for children from families

whose household income is below $2,500 per month. SCFA is

available on a sliding scale based on household income level. It

ranges from $42 to $150 per month per child. For details, visit

http://www.cdc.org.sg/1169433071305/1162796276360.html

For a listing of SCCs, visit

app.mcys.gov.sg/web/serv_dss_disability_main.asp?Services_Id=3

{ youth who are online }

Agency /

Programme

Services Website

TOUCH

Community

Services / CRuSH

E-sports competitions,

healthy gaming groups,

cyber-wellness

programmes, cognitive

behaviour therapy

www.planetcrush.o

rg

Project 180 (Fei

Yue Community

Services) / eGen

Integrated blog and e-

counselling

www.egen.sg

Marine Parade

FSC / metoyou

Cyber Counselling

Online counselling www.metoyou.org.

sg

Youth Advolution

for Health /

Audible Hearts

Online peer counselling audiblehearts.yah.

sg

{ youth who need counselling }

Agency /

Programme

Services Website

iGROW /

Psychological

Services

Counselling &

psychological services for

youth

www.igrow.sg

{ youth with bullying issues }

Agency /

Programme

Services Website

Children’s Society

/ Bully-Free

Campaign

Good resource for victims

of bullying, as well as

bullies and bystanders.

www.bullyfreeca

mpaign.sg

Coalition Against

Bullying for

Children & Youth

Research on bullying www.hrtd.com.sg

/CABCY/

Action Against

Cyber Bullying

Counselling and advice

on how victims can

resolve cyber-bullying.

www.dontcyberb

ully.com

{ youth who need someone to talk to }

Agency /

Programme

Services Contact

Touch Youth

Services /

TOUCHline

For youths with problems

managing life issues

1800-3772252

{ youth who need a mentor }

Singapore has a National Youth Mentoring Plan, and these are some

of the agencies that provide mentoring services.

Agency / Programme Services Website

1. Students Care Service

2. Lutheran Community

Care Services

3. 4PM

4. City Care

5. AMP

6. Trybe

/ PODZ Youth Mentoring

For youths

completing their

rehabilitation

programme in the

Singapore Boys’

Home or

Singapore Girls’

Home.

www.mcys.gov.s

g/MCDSFiles/Pr

ess/Articles/21-

2007.pdf

BP International / Student

Mentoring Programme

www.bpmentorin

g.com

Malay Youth Literary

Association (4PM) / bITE

www.4pm.org.sg

/staticpgs/ourSer

vices/bITE.html

Trybe / Life Coaching

Programme

1-year

programme on

key principles for

successful living.

www.trybe.org/A

bt_WhatWeDo.a

spx

Architects of Life

Providing training

and opportunities

to mentor youth

www.architectsof

life.net

iGROW / Professional Youth Services

Mentor & youth

coach training

www.igrow.sg

{ drop-in centres }

a) NUR

Integrated Programme for Troubled Teenagers (NUR) provides an

integrated service for troubled teenagers (below 21 years old) who

require counselling. The NUR helpline (97777 687) assists callers to

work through their problems, is managed by PPIS Jurong FSC.

Referrals will be made to any one of the 5 NUR Drop In Centres if the

youth requires more intervention.

Agency / NUR

centre

Location Tel

Al-Falah Mosque /

NUR @ Orchard

No.1 Cairnhill Place, #01-

01, Bideford Rd

6235 3172

Taman Bacaan /

NUR @ Bedok

Blk 672, Jalan Damai, #01-

25

6741 7977

Pertapis / NUR @

Joo Chiat

Blk 1, Joo Chiat Rd, #04-

1001, Joo Chiat Complex

6745 3969

Ain Society / NUR

@ Bukit Batok East

Blk 235, Bukit Batok East

Ave 3, #01-21

6665 8130

Clubilya / NUR @

Yishun

Blk 107, Yishun Ring Road,

#01-233

6757 3661

Source: www.mendaki.org.sg/content_files/Dept_AboutUS.htm

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

own special areas of interest. Members get to participate in creative

learning programmes, community services and sports activities.

Source: www.tnetclub.org.sg/index.html

T-Net Club Location

Ang Mo Kio 795 Ang Mo Kio Ave 1

Bedok Blk 28, New Upper Changi Road, # 01-714

Bukit Merah Blk 92, Henderson Road, #01-200

Geylang West 1205 Upper Boon Keng Road

MacPherson Blk 808 Circuit Road

Marine Parade Blk 35 Marine Crescent, #01-63

Sembawang 2125 Sembawang Road

Taman Jurong 1 Yung Sheng Road

c) Project Cabin

Project CABIN is a school-based youth outreach project. Fully

functional classrooms or containers are set up at secondary schools

to provide an alternative hangout place for youths to “hang out” after

school hours. Activities are organised to engage the youth in

meaningful activities and positive interaction.

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

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

There’s a wide variety of drop-in centres scattered throughout

Singapore. Do visit their respective websites to find out more about

their features and facilities.

Agency / Centre Location Website

Care Community

Services Society /

D'Den

103 Lavender

Street, CarePoint

www.carecom.org.sg/oo

mph/

Care Corner /

Crossroad Youth

Centres

Blk 158, Lor 1

Toa Payoh, #01-

1522

www.carecorner.org.sg/s

ervices_youth.htm

City Harvest

Community Services

Association / POD

Centre

Blk 136, Simei

Street 1

www.chcsa.org.sg/youth.

htm

Tech Ghee Youth

Centre

Blk 346, Ang Mo

Kio Ave 3, #01-

2280

www.teckgheeyc.com/ab

out/centre.html

MCYC Community

Services Society

Blk 153, Bukit Batok

St 11 #04-284

www.mcyc.sg

New Life Youth Hub 419 Fajar Road,

#01-449

www.newlife.org.sg/?p=s

ection&sub=article&articl

egrppk=54&articlepk=72

Singapore

Childrens’ Society /

Round Box

OnePeople.SG,

381 Toa Payoh

Lor 1 #01-12

www.childrensociety.org.

sg/services/development

al.htm

Singapore

Childrens’ Society /

Youth Centre

(Jurong)

552 Jurong West

St 42, #01-321

www.childrensociety.org.

sg/services/development

al.htm

Catholic Welfare

Services /

YouthReach

Blk 166,

Tampines St 12,

#01-357

www.catholicwelfare.org.

sg/projects/ptc.html

Viriya Community

Services / Dreams

@ Kolam Ayer

Blk 47,

Bendemeer

Road, #01-1479

www.viriya.org.sg/DREA

MS/HOME.htm

Wesley Youth

Centre

105 Ganges

Avenue

www.wesleymc.org/!main

/content/view/279/171/

YMCA / Bukit Batok

Youth Development

Centre

Blk 212, Bukit

Batok St 21, #01-

225

www.southwestcdc.org.s

g/MungoBlobs/531/702/Y

MCABBYouthDevCentre.

pdf

{ out-of-school youth }

a) Youth Link

Youth Link provides support to premature school-leavers (or OSYs)

to guide them to return to the mainstream education system or transit

to other meaningful pursuits, such as enrolling in vocational training,

employment, or early enlistment in National Service (for males).

Source:

http://app.mcys.gov.sg/web/corp_press_story.asp?szMod=corp&szS

ubMod=press&qid=2294

Agency / Youth

Link programme

Location Website

Fei Yue Comm-

unity Services /

Project 180

Blk 145, Simei Street 2,

#01-06

www.fycs.org/index

.cfm?GPID=50

Malay Youth

Literary Assoc-

iation (4PM)

Blk 606, Bedok

Reservoir Road, #01-716

www.4pm.org.sg

TOUCH Youth

Limited

Blk 162, Bukit Merah

Central, #05-3555

www.tcs.org.sg

Yayasan MEN-

DAKI / Max Out

Wisma MENDAKI, 51

Kee Sun Avenue

www.mendaki.org.s

g

YMCA / Project

Bridge

Blk 892B, Woodlands

Drive 50, #01-177

www.ymca.org.sg/

Web/main.aspx?ID

=a510cee7-bfc6-

40f6-87a2-

c73c212eb0db

b) Other OSY programmes

Agency / OSY

programme

Location Website

Viriya Community

Services / Dreams

@ Kolam Ayer

Blk 47, Bendemeer

Road, #01-1479

www.viriya.org.sg/

DREAMS/HOME.h

tm

Clubilya / Project

Reach

Blk 923 Yishun Central 1, #01-364, (Upper

Level)

www.clubilya.org.s

g/ProgrammesServ

ices/tabid/55/Defau

lt.aspx

Care Corner FSC

(Admiralty) / X-

Ray

Blk 718, Woodlands

Ave 6, #01-658

www.carecorner.or

g.sg/services_yout

h.htm#crossroad

c) OSY Learning Centres

MCYS co-funds VWOs to administer Alternative Learning Centres for

OSYs who wish to continue pursuing their education.

Source: app.mcys.gov.sg/web/corp_press_story.asp?sz

Mod=corp&szSubMod=press&qid=2294

Agency / OSY

programme

Location Website

City Harvest

Community

Services / City

College

73 Bras Basah Road,

NTUC Trade Union

House, #07-01

www.citycollege.ed

u.sg/home/Home.a

spx

TOUCH Comm-

unity Services /

TOUCH Youth

Learning Centre

Blk 162, Bukit Merah

Central, #05-3545

www.tcs.org.sg/ser

vice/st_youth/03.ph

p?item=2

d) OSY vocational programmes

These centres provide vocational training for OSYs.

Agency / OSY

programme

Location Website

The Young

Entrepreneur

Mastery /

Project Youth

Regeneration

(PYR) Project

350, Alexandra

Road, #03-02

www.tyem.org/latestevents

.html

Evohub /

Scholarships

Blk 808 French

Road, Kitchener

Complex #07-161

www.nus.edu.sg/enterprise

/enterprisezone-

newsletter/MS%2008/Apr%

2008/Unusual%20scholars

hip%20gives%20dropouts

%20hope,%20Straits%20Ti

mes,%207th%20April%202

008%20(Evohub).pdf

Adrenalin

Events

10 Anson Road

#27-18

International Plaza

www.adrenalin.com.sg/Site

/Welcome.html

{ youth with substance abuse issues }

Agency / Programme Services Contact

Institute of Mental

Health / National

Addictions Management

Service

For individuals with various

addictions, including

substance behavioural

addictions.

www.nam

s.org.sg/p

age.aspx/

0/HOME

Singapore Anti-

Narcotics

Association / Hotline

For drug-abusers, their

families and the general

public

1800-

7334444

{ youth with smoking issues }

Agency / Programme Services Contact

Health Promotion Board

/ Smoking Cessation

Clinic

For smokers below 18

years.

6226 2049

Ang Mo Kio FSC

(Cheng San) / Brave

Steps

Provides youth with the

knowledge to quit smoking

while building in the

motivation. Part of the

Youth Infinity programme.

www.amkf

sc.org.sg

{ youth with gambling issues }

Agency /

Programme

Services Contact

Care Corner

Counselling Centre

/ Gambling

Counselling Hotline

For those with a gambling

problem or know

someone who does

1800-6668668

Tanjong Pagar FSC

/ Problem Gambling

Helpline

For those with a gambling

problem or know

someone who does

1800-XGAMBLE

(1800-9426253)

MCYC Community

Services Society /

Youth Gambling

Roadshow

Docudrama, entitled

"False Hope"

Talk on gambling

Poster display

Interactive computer

games

www.mcyc.sg

65631641

{ youth who are suicidal }

Agency /

Programme

Services Contact

Samaritans of

Singapore (SOS)

For anybody in crisis and

persons with suicidal

tendencies

1800-2214444

{ youth with sexuality issues }

Agency /

Programme

Services Website

Focus on the

Family Singapore

Ltd / No Apologies

Recognise the relationship

between love and sex

Consequences of

premarital sexual activity

Benefits of saving sex for

marriage

www.noapologi

es.sg/

Focus on the

Family Singapore

Ltd / Let’s Talk

About Sex

Parent-Child Workshop

School talks

www.family.org

.sg/default.asp

x?go=article&a

id=665

Oogachaga Counselling and personal

development for lesbian,

gay, bisexual,

transgendered and

questioning ("LGBTQ")

individuals.

www.oogacha

ga.com

Ang Mo Kio FSC

(Cheng San) /

Youth Infinity

Various www.amkfsc.or

g

Reach FSC / “Alt-

D” – Alternative

Dateability

It's centered on the concept

of preparing our youths to

be 'dateable' youths i.e.

youths who are empowered

with the right principles,

attitudes and character,

prepared and ready, before

getting involved in any

relationship.

www.reachfsc.

com/youth.html

* As the Ministry of Education has recently suspended external

sexuality education programmes in school, this section is on hold.

{ girls with pregnancy issues }

Teenage mothers may require temporary accomodation from a crisis

shelter while they work out plans for their future and find employment

where necessary. However, the locations of these shelters are

classified (so that potential abusers will not find it), and it is

necessary to seek a referral from a professional social worker in

order to access these services.

Agency /

Programme

Services Contact

BABES

(Beyond Social

Service)

For teenagers with child www.babes.org.s

g

SMS: 8111 3535

National

Pregnancy

Helpline

For those with pregnancy -

related problems or involved

in pregnancy crisis situations.

1800-MUM-TO-

BE, 1800-

6868623

Sanctuary

House

Crisis pregnancy services,

emergency & pre-adoption

infant care, solution-focused

parenting workshops.

www.sanctuaryho

use.com.sg

{ youth with self-harming tendencies }

There are no specific services targetting behaviours such as pack

slashing. However, the Child Guidance Clinic at the Institute for

Mental Health does address such cases at the remedial level.

Agency /

Programme

Services Website

Institute for

Mental Health /

Child Guidance

Clinic

Psychological, psychiatric

and educational services

for adolescents up to 19

years of age.

www.imh.com.sg/

children_guide_cl

inic.html

Singapore

General Hospital /

Eating Disorders

Programme

Management of eating

disorders such as

Anorexia Nervosa,

Bulimia Nervosa and

Binge-Eating Disorder.

www.sgh.com.sg/

Clinical-

Departments-

Centers/LIFE-

Centre/services/P

ages/eating-

disorders.aspx

Singapore

Association for

Mental Health /

Support for Eating

Disorders S’pore

Support group for

patients recovering from

eating disorders.

www.samhealth.o

rg.sg/services.ph

p?s=14

1800-2837019

Singapore

Association for

Mental Health /

Youth Reach

Psycho-social recovery

programme for children

and youths with mental

health concerns.

www.samhealth.o

rg.sg/services.ph

p?s=10

{ youth with family violence issues }

PAVe is a specialised service which focuses support to the whole

family, therefore including victims, perpetrators and witnesses of

family violence. The programmes encompass a continuum of

services starting with remedial services and moving into a preventive

cum developmental model.

Agency /

Programme

Services Contact

Centre for

Promoting

Alternatives to

Violence (PAVe)

For families facing

violence in need of

counselling and support

services

www.pavecentre.

org.sg

admin@pavecent

re.org.sg

6555 0390

{ youth who have incarcerated parents}

Agency /

Programme

Services Contact

Life Community

Services Society /

Friends of Youth

Counselling, befriending,

monthly food rations,

bursary, academic

guidance.

www.life-

community.org/e

n/OurServices/S

vc-FOC.htm

{ pre-delinquent services }

These services are for youth who have not yet committed a crime.

a) BeaconWorks Programme

6-month diversional rehabilitative programme is to help the youth and

families stablise existing behaviour problems.

Source: www.childrensociety.org.sg/services/remedial.htm

b) Justice Teen Quest

Series of educational activities, such as quizzes, designed to teach

societal and relationship values, to reinforce the need for respect for

law and authority, and to raise public awareness of the juvenile

justice process.

Source: app.subcourts.gov.sg/juvenile/print.aspx?pageid=7523#3

c) Streetwise Programme

The StreetWise Programme offers youths identified as gang

members by the Criminal Investigation Department a chance to turn

around. SWP is an intensive 6-month rehabilitative programme that

comprises casework, life skills training, academic and career

guidance and recreational activities.

Source: www.nygr.org.sg/pages/Intervening_delinquency.html

Agency Address Contact

Youth Guidance

Outreach Services

(Woodlands

Centre)

Blk 804,

Woodlands St 81

#01-37

www.youthguidance.org.

sg/streetwise.htm

Beyond Social

Services

Blk 26 Jalan

Klinik, #01-42/52

www.beyond.org.sg/Stati

cBeyond/Programs/Prog-

Youth.asp

Lakeside Family

Centre

Blk 516 Jurong

West St 52, #01-

73

www.lakeside.org.sg/04y

ouths/index.html

Teen Challenge

(Student Centre)

735 Choa Chu

Kang Road

www.teenchallenge.org.s

g/tcsc.htm