Singapore Children’s Society

Singapore Children’s Society
Name	Singapore Children’s Society
Formation	1952
Type	Charity
Headquarters	Singapore
Leader title	President
Leader name	Kenneth Phoon

Singapore Children’s Society Singapore Children’s Society is a Singaporean child welfare charity founded in 1952 that provides services for children and families across Singapore. It operates alongside organisations such as National Council of Social Service (Singapore), UNICEF, World Health Organization, Ministry of Social and Family Development (Singapore), and Family Court of Singapore to address issues affecting children. The Society collaborates with institutions including KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore General Hospital, Duke-NUS Medical School, and community partners like Lions Clubs International, Rotary International, and Temasek Foundation.

History

The Society was established in 1952 during the post-war period when social welfare groups such as Singapore Council of Social Service and St. Andrew's Mission Hospital expanded services. Early work aligned with international movements led by entities like Save the Children and UNICEF and echoed campaigns similar to World Health Organization child survival initiatives. Over decades the Society responded to social shifts influenced by policies from the Ministry of Education (Singapore), urban redevelopment in Jurong, and public health developments at Tan Tock Seng Hospital. Notable collaborations and precedents include partnerships with Singapore Red Cross, Catholic Welfare Services, Methodist Welfare Services, and responses to crises comparable to the community mobilisations after the SARS outbreak.

Mission and Services

The Society's mission focuses on protecting the rights of children and supporting families, aligning with conventions such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Service areas intersect with agencies and institutions like Association of Women for Action and Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (for comparative models), Asia Pacific Child Rights Network, and local bodies including Community Development Councils and People's Association. Core services include counselling similar to frameworks used by Singapore Psychological Society, family support modelled after Families for Life, and protection services cooperating with Singapore Police Force child protection units and the Ministry of Social and Family Development (Singapore)'s statutory processes.

Programs and Initiatives

Programmatic offerings include prevention and intervention services resembling practices at Institute of Mental Health (Singapore), outreach comparable to Care Corner Singapore, and educational initiatives akin to National Library Board (Singapore) children programs. Initiatives target issues such as child abuse, adolescent mental health, juvenile delinquency, and family breakdown, connecting with specialist providers like KK Women's and Children's Hospital paediatric teams, Singapore Management University research centres, and training from National University of Singapore faculty. Campaigns have drawn support from corporate partners including DBS Bank, OCBC Bank, UOB, CapitaLand, and philanthropic donors in the mould of Temasek Trust.

Organisation and Governance

The Society's governance structure features a council and executive team comparable to boards governing Singapore Children’s Society-style charities, working with regulatory bodies such as the Commissioner of Charities (Singapore) and compliance with legislation like the Charities Act (Singapore). Leadership interacts with stakeholders including ministers from the Ministry of Social and Family Development (Singapore), members of the Parliament of Singapore, and community leaders from People's Association. Training and professional development draw on partnerships with universities such as National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, and professional bodies including the Singapore Association of Social Workers.

Funding and Partnerships

Funding sources comprise public donations, corporate sponsorships, grants from entities such as National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre, and support from institutions like Community Chest (Singapore), Singapore Pools, and philanthropic foundations including Temasek Foundation. The Society collaborates with international NGOs such as Save the Children, Plan International, and regional networks including the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children. Corporate partners include banks like DBS Bank, OCBC Bank, UOB, real estate firms such as CapitaLand, and professional services firms exemplified by PricewaterhouseCoopers and Deloitte for pro bono support.

Impact and Recognition

The Society's impact is reflected in service statistics, partnerships with healthcare providers such as KK Women's and Children's Hospital and Singapore General Hospital, and recognition from civic institutions like the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre and awards in the style of the President's Volunteerism & Philanthropy Awards. Its work has been cited in academic studies produced by National University of Singapore and Duke-NUS Medical School on child welfare, and it is referenced in policy discussions alongside bodies like the Ministry of Social and Family Development (Singapore), Family Justice Courts, and community stakeholders including Community Development Councils.

Category:Children's charities based in Singapore