Young Children Found Unsupervised in Public Places Who Were Assessed To Be In Need of Care or Protection
Ministry of Social and Family DevelopmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns young children found unsupervised in public places and actions taken against neglectful caregivers. Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik inquired about the number of such cases requiring care or protection over the past three years and the consequences for neglectful parents. Minister Masagos Zulkifli B M M stated that MSF does not track this specific statistic, though an average of 539 child neglect cases required statutory intervention annually from 2022 to 2024. He explained that MSF prioritises child safety by implementing safety plans, monitoring compliance, and providing counselling and caregiving support. For serious safety concerns, expedited action may be taken to remove the child to alternative care, and cases with sufficient evidence of offences may be referred to the Police for prosecution.
Transcript
27 Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) in the past three years, how many cases of young children found unsupervised in public places were assessed as being in need of care or protection; and (b) what actions may be taken against parents or caregivers whose neglect endangers a child.
Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M: The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) does not track statistics specifically on young children found unsupervised in public places who were assessed as being in need of care or protection.
Where Police suspect that such cases may involve neglect, they would refer them to MSF for investigation. From 2022 to 2024, there was an average of 539 child neglect cases that required statutory intervention.
When a child is found to be at risk due to neglect, MSF's immediate priority is to ensure the child's safety. Where the child can remain safely at home, MSF, a Child Protection Specialist Centre or a Family Service Centre will first implement safety plans, monitor compliance and work with the family to improve parenting practices to ensure adequate care and safety of the child. Where required, parents or caregivers may be referred for counselling and other community-based support services to strengthen caregiving capacity. Where serious safety concerns are identified, MSF and the Police will take expedited action, including removal of the child and placing them in an alternative care arrangement if necessary. Where there is sufficient evidence that a parent or caregiver may have committed an offence, the case may be referred to the Police and prosecution may be considered.