Opening Remarks by SMS Goh Pei Ming at Fostering Open House 2026

Members of the Committee on Fostering,

Partners from Fostering Agencies,

Foster families,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

Introduction

1. Good afternoon, and welcome to Fostering Open House 2026. I am delighted to join all of you today.
2. This year marks the 70th year of fostering in Singapore. Over the past seven decades, more than 6,500 children have benefitted from foster care. As we commemorate this significant milestone, it is also timely for us to reflect on why fostering matters and the difference that foster families can make in the lives of all our children who need care.

 

Why Fostering Matters

3. Every child deserves to grow up in a safe, stable and nurturing family environment. When families experience difficulties, MSF’s priority is to work alongside with families and professionals to build on each family’s strengths, provide support early and help our children remain safely within their families as far as possible.
4. When there sometimes are serious and immediate safety concerns, or when a child can no longer be kept in the care of their parents or guardians, MSF steps in to put in place alternative care arrangements while we work closely with the family to address the underlying issues and concerns.
5. For children who need out-of-home care, we seek to place them in foster care where suitable, so that they can continue to experience the care, stability and sense of belonging that they deserve within a family environment.
6. Research tells us that family-based care will offer children personalised, stable caregiving, which are important foundations for their social, emotional and mental well-being.
7. This affirms what many in our fostering community have witnessed firsthand: when foster families open their hearts and homes to our children to provide a safe, stable and nurturing environment, children, even those who may have experienced a somewhat difficult childhood or traumatic experience, can benefit tremendously.

 

Fostering Can Be Rewarding for Foster Families Too

8. That foster care leads to better outcomes for children may not be surprising. But fostering can also be an equally rewarding journey for foster parents.
9. Many foster parents have shared that fostering has deepened their appreciation of family and strengthened their sense of purpose. They treasure the relationships that they build, the milestones that they have gone through together with the children, and the privilege of being able to watch a child grow in confidence, achieve unexpected milestones, and over time being able to witness the journey of a child growing up and going through life. Eventually, when the child is able to return safely to their family, foster parents take joy and are proud in knowing they have contributed to another child’s journey growing up. 
10. While fostering is centred on meeting the needs of the child, the journey also brings fresh perspectives, new insights, deeper connections and a greater sense of meaning to foster families yourselves. The children within your family also grow as they learn to interact with another child. There is indeed a lot more that everyone within the family can benefit from.

 

Exploring the Fostering Journey

11. Even knowing the positive difference that fostering can make, both for children and for foster families, I acknowledge that taking the step to foster takes a lot of courage. Those of you who are exploring fostering today may understandably have many questions.
12. You may be wondering: “Is fostering right for me and my family at this stage in life? Will I be able to cope with my personal commitments, such as juggling work, other family commitments, and personal circumstances?”
13. You may also ask: “Will I be doing right by the foster child? Will I have the correct skills to manage a child who may have gone through trauma or abuse? Will the fit work?” You may wonder whether you have the experience, patience and skills to provide the care they need.
14. Finally, you may be wondering: “What support will my family and I receive along the way? Who can I turn to for guidance when challenges arise? Will I be expected to manage everything on my own? What if it doesn’t work out? Is it irresponsible if I want to give up along the way?”
15. These are all very fair and responsible questions. The objective of today’s programme is to answer these questions and address your concerns, to help you better understand what fostering involves and give you the opportunity to explore the questions that matter most to you and your family. There will be challenges, but the journey is what makes it all the more rewarding and fulfilling.
16. Today’s Open House will begin with an interactive theatre segment inspired by the real-life experiences of three couples, Mdm Cheong Mew Yoong and Mr Lee Hua Sin; Mdm Low Eng Jiuan and Mr Lim Eng Leong; and Mdm Siti Alwiyah Binte Jamil and Mr Noor Azahar Bin Abdul Rahim.
17. Through the performance, you will see that many foster parents began with the same doubts, concern and questions that you may have today. You will learn what gave them the confidence to take the next step, the challenges they encountered, and how they overcame them. Hopefully, this will likewise give you the confidence to take this next step.
18. When Mdm Low and Mr Lim’s foster child arrived at 18 months old, they quickly realised that caring for a new child came with uncertainties they had not anticipated. They shared that on the very first night, as the child cried through the night, the couple wondered whether they could manage and even questioned whether they could continue. The initial months were challenging as they learnt the child’s routines and adjusted to having her in their family.
19. As the child grew older, there were other challenges they had to deal with, including developmental and learning needs. But with professional guidance and consistent support at home, they found ways to overcome these challenges. Today, more than a decade later, they speak proudly of how she has grown in confidence, independence and resilience.
20. Their experience shows that prospective foster parents need not begin the journey with all the answers. You can build your knowledge and confidence over time, while drawing on the professional guidance, experience and support from the community and the ecosystem we have built in Singapore for foster parents.
21. While the theatre segment will give you a glimpse of the overall fostering journey, the breakout sessions that follow will also allow you to explore the questions most relevant to you and your family.
22. You will hear directly from foster parents and Foster Care Workers from the Fostering Agencies. The sessions will cover different aspects of the fostering journey, from caring for older children and teenagers, fostering as a couple without children, to supporting children with different needs, and how faith and community can support you. The breakout sessions will help you understand the fostering ecosystem in Singapore, and assure you that our Fostering Agencies and Foster Care Workers will support you in your journey.

 

Conclusion

23. Some of the foster parents you will meet today were once sitting in the audience in previous Open Houses. Today, they are back to share their experience with you.
24. I encourage you to ask them about their fostering journey and find out as much as you need to. If you are ready to apply to be a foster parent today, MSF officers are onsite to assist you with the application process.
25. I hope that all of us can work hand in hand to help every child grow, thrive and build a future that they rightfully deserve. We want to support our families. We want to open our homes to all our children who need care, and journey alongside them as professionals, volunteers, and caring members of society. Only when our families, communities and the Government work together, can we build stronger circles of care for every child and realise the vision of Better Starts With Us.
26. I wish you all a pleasant afternoon. Thank you for choosing to spend your Saturday with us. I look forward to seeing you embark on your fostering journey and in years to come, also be here as foster parents sharing your journey. Thank you very much.