NCSS :: Social Services - Family Services

Family Service Centres serve as community-based focal points of family resources which anyone can turn to for help on social support matters relating to the family. They are run by VWOs and supported by MCYS and NCSS.

There are currently 37 Family Service Centres located around Singapore. The objectives of Family Service Centres are to promote and improve the social well-being of every individual in the family, at every stage of life. Their services cater to families with a range of needs or face difficulties that can occur at any stage of the family cycle. Everyone, regardless of age, race, gender, nationality, language, or religion, can benefit from the services.

Family Service Centres provide two key services – casework & counselling and information & referral.

Casework and Counselling

Casework and Counselling in Family Service Centres are provided by trained social workers to help families or individuals resolve their personal, social and emotional difficulties, and life challenges.

Available counselling services include marital counselling and pre-marital counselling, and counselling on behavioural problems and child management, family violence, financial difficulties, and interpersonal relationships.

Information and Referral Service

The Family Service Centres link people in need with appropriate community resources. Individuals may call, walk in, write or email their queries on individual or family-related issues. Family Service Centres also receive referrals for help from schools, hospitals, grassroots, police, MCYS, self-help groups, companies, etc.

Community Support Programmes & Specialised Services

Community Support Programmes may be conducted by the Family Service Centres to better meet community needs through workshops, support groups and other activities. Such programmes are targeted at children, youth, parents or other specific groups.

b. Single-Parent Family Support Services

The objectives of a Single-Parent Programme are to support and promote the psycho-emotional well-being of single-parent families towards stability, growth and acceptance of the new family unit.

The services provided include family casework and counselling, support groups, programmes for children, and public education.

c. Services for Remarriages and Step-families

The holistic programme helps remarried couples and their families cope with their new roles and adjust in their reconstituted families.

The services provided include family casework and counselling, support groups, programmes for children, and public education.

d. Family Violence Prevention and Intervention Programme

The Family Violence Prevention and Intervention Programme aims to help victims, perpetrators and witnesses of family violence. It also aims to create greater awareness in the community about issues on family violence through public education and outreach. The programme involves services ranging from remedial services to preventive and developmental programmes. These include casework and counselling, group work, and workshops.

e. Counselling Services

Counselling services aim to help those suffering from psychological issues, anxiety, and behavioural difficulties arising from relationship problems, addictions, bereavement and lifestyle pressures.

Counselling provides individuals with opportunities to explore and work towards living in a more satisfying way. People may find themselves unable to cope with certain situations or to adapt their mode of life to changed circumstances. As such, counselling is especially helpful in times of crisis or change, such as severe or traumatic accident, bereavement, life-threatening illness, loss of employment or home, marital difficulty or other broken relationships which disrupt the previous pattern of life.

Counselling helpline services are also available to provide a listening ear to anyone who needs to talk about their concerns. Information and referral are also available for those with specific needs.

f. Suicide Prevention Service

The suicide prevention service for distressed individuals is provided via a 24-hour helpline counselling service by the Samaritans of Singapore (SOS). SOS also provides a 24-hour emergency squad and immediate on-site help for critically distressed individuals.

g. Aftercare Case Management Service

The objective of the aftercare case management service is to facilitate the reintegration of ex-offenders into families and the society. Such service also aims to harness greater community resources in efforts to reintegrate ex-offenders.

The aftercare case management service assists ex-offenders in attaining employment/job training, securing accommodation, developing social support and coping skills, and attaining a positive lifestyle.

For town boundaries and demographics, please view here.