Residential Rehabilitation (Youth Homes)

Mission – Restore Lives, Empower Transformation, Re-Create Future

The mission of the MSF Youth Homes is to rehabilitate its residents and successfully reintegrate them into the community. The Homes adopt a multi-disciplinary approach in its rehabilitative work, drawing expertise from various fields including social work, psychology, education, and criminology. This approach ensures that each young person receives holistic support that addresses their individual needs and circumstances and empowers them for positive change.

Rehabilitation at the Homes begins with reintegration in mind, recognising that purposeful community engagement is often more effective than extended institutionalisation. 

Youths are supported by the following professionals throughout their orders — Youth Guidance Officers (YGO) who work with the youth on personal mastery, Caseworkers who support their socio-emotional development, and trained Teachers and/or qualified Instructors who guide them in their educational and vocational pursuits. By positioning themselves as trusted adults who believe in the potential of each youth, staff foster the motivation and sense of security that rehabilitation requires.

Care plans are individualised, with programmes targeted at each youth's specific risks and needs while promoting holistic development across multiple domains. One example of this is the National Youth Achievement Award (NYAA), comprising three key learning experiences — Service Learning, Outdoor Appreciation, and Healthy Living — which help youths discover their potential as active contributors to society. 

Recognising that lasting change extends beyond the individual, the Homes also work to strengthen family relationships through structured programmes, family activities, and individual sessions with Caseworkers to build parenting skills and improve communication. As youths progress, they are gradually reintegrated through supervised Time Leave, Home Leave and the Day Release Scheme. This helps them spend meaningful time with family and attend school or work, while staff work closely with parents and schools to track progress, provide guidance and ensure continuity of care.

The Homes provide post-care support for up to a year after a youth’s discharge, with families connected to Family Service Centres and other social service agencies to support them through areas such as school, work and pro-social activities. This support helps sustain the progress made in the Homes and strengthens the network of care around the youth. 

The Homes further extend their support to the youths through community partnerships with volunteer youth mentors, social service agencies, schools, and employers. These partnerships provide youths with practical skills training, employment preparation, creative outlets through art and drama programmes, sports coaching, and mentoring — equipping them with the positive role models and real-world experience needed for successful, sustainable reintegration.

Rehabilitation and Care Programmes

MSF Youth Homes provide holistic rehabilitation and care programmes across five key areas:

Rehabilitation Process

Youths admitted to the Homes go through a structured programme with four phases: Induction, Rehabilitation, Reintegration and Discharge (Post-Care).

To ensure smoother transitions and successful community reintegration, the Homes work with appointed social service agencies to provide post-care support. This support helps youths maintain the progress achieved during their residence and enhances their prospects of leading socially responsible lives within the community.

Families requiring additional support are also connected with the relevant community resources before the youths’ discharge, ensuring a robust social safety network is established to facilitate successful reintegration.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1.    I would like to know more about Singapore Boys' Home and Singapore Girls' Home.
A:      Singapore Boys' Home and Singapore Girls' Home are secured residential care facilities administered by Youth Homes under the Ministry of Social and Family Development.  You may refer to the following link for more information: MSF - Youth Homes

Q2.    Where can I go for help to control my child?
A:       You may approach the school counsellor or the Family Service Centre nearest your home. The counsellor will be able to advise you. 

Q3.    Can I contact my friend who is currently residing in the Home?
A:       This is not allowed as Singapore Boys' Home and Singapore Girls' Home are secured residential care facilities.

Q4.    Can I write a letter to my friend who is admitted to the Home?
A:       Youths at the Singapore Boys' Home and Singapore Girls' Home are only allowed to receive correspondence from immediate family members.  Hence, you may wish to enquire from your friend's family members.