Support For Foster Parents

Our foster parents are never alone in their fostering journey.

We are committed to ensure that both you and your foster child receive the best support possible. Here are some forms of support you can receive as foster parents:

Financial Support

To assist foster parents to defray the costs of supporting a foster child, MSF provides the following: 

1. Fostering Allowance - A monthly allowance of $1,100 is provided for every foster child under your care. For a foster child with special needs, the allowance is $1,500 monthly. The allowance will help to defray the expenses of caring for the foster child, such as for food, clothing, education, tuition, transport.
   
   
2. Childcare Subsidies - After subsidies and Infant Care/Child Care Subsidies and Child Care Financial Assistance (CCFA), foster parents can pay a flat monthly co-payment of:
   a. $200 for full-day infant care and childcare
   b. $150 for half-day infant care and childcare
   Applies generally to Anchor Operator and Partner Operator run childcare centres. 
   
   
3. Student Care Subsidies - Flat monthly co-payment of $80 at MSF-registered student care centres. The fostering allowance is sized to cover the co-payment.
   
4. Medical Subsidies - Healthcare subsidies cover medical treatment at public healthcare institutions (polyclinics, public hospitals and public specialty centres). Foster children also receive subsidies at participating CHAS General Practitioners and dental clinics

Support from a Foster Care Worker

A Foster Care Worker will be attached to every foster parent to provide guidance and support. The officer will maintain contact with you and your foster child through regular phone calls and home visits. Where needed, other professionals such as psychologists, counsellors, medical and educational professionals, may also be brought in to support the child.

Training Courses by Social Service Institute

New foster parents are required to complete foundation and intermediate training courses, designed to equip you with basic knowledge and skills, such as understanding the role of a foster parent and the trauma that foster children may have gone through.

Curriculum for the Foundation Training Course

• Foster Care in Context
  
  
• Bonding and Attachment
  
  
• Grief and Loss
  
  
• Abuse and Trauma
  
  
• Identity and Birth Family Contact (Access)
  
  
• Managing Challenging Situations
  
  
• Teamwork
  
  
• Managing Closure

Besides the foundation and intermediate training courses, there are also specialised courses such as Positive Parenting Programme and elective courses that you can sign up for. Elective courses teach additional skills in areas such as parenting teenagers, working with birth parents and achieving cyber-wellness.

Trainings are usually held on Saturday mornings.

Emergency Hotline

In case of emergency, you can obtain immediate support via an emergency hotline available 24/7.

Support Groups

Support Groups have been self-administered by some foster parents. They provide an avenue for foster parents to share their experiences and best practices with one another, and offer a source of emotional support and encouragement.

Respite Care

Foster parents unable to care for their foster child for brief periods of time (e.g. when on overseas trips) may request for respite care from another foster parent during that period. 

Childcare Leave Benefits 

Foster parents enjoy childcare leave benefits, just as birth parents do under the Child Development Co-Savings Act and Employment Act. Foster parents who work can utilise the leave to care of your foster child, for example to take them to a doctor when they are ill.

Please refer to the following websites for more details on childcare leave schemes:

1. Government-Paid Leave Website


2. Ministry of Manpower website