Cost of Placing Child in Place of Safety

9 Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Social and Family Development in the past five years, what is the annual average monthly cost of placing a child in (i) a place of safety and (ii) the Singapore Boys' Home or Singapore Girls' Home.

Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M: Children and young persons (CYPs) may reside in a place of safety, should they require care or protection. This includes the Singapore Boys' Home (SBH) or Singapore Girls' Home (SGH).

Over the past five years, the average monthly cost of placing a CYP in a place of safety is $3,000. This figure does not include additional items incurred at SBH and SGH, such as the provision of in-house medical services, school and security set-up, which are required to cater to CYPs with higher risks and needs.