Rules of Engagement for School Counsellors Dealing with Runaway Youths

Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye asked the Minister for Education (a) what are the rules of engagement that a school counsellor has to abide by when dealing with a youth who has run away from home; (b) whether a parent or guardian needs to be informed when a counsellor is engaging with such youths; and (c) in what cases will the Child Protective Service be activated.

When youths run away from home, school personnel including teachers, School Counsellors (SCs) or Student Welfare Officers (SWOs) would help to find them and offer support. They would quickly ascertain that the youths are not in any danger and the circumstances that caused the youths to run away.

For non-abuse cases, SCs or SWOs would advise the youths to return home. The school would engage the parents and link the family with the relevant community partners (e.g. social workers from Family Service Centres) for support when they return home. The school would also monitor the well-being of the youths and provide counselling support when they return to school, with consent from their parents.

Where abuse is suspected, Principals report such cases immediately to the Child Protective Service, and work closely with the Child Protection Officers and/or Approved Welfare Officers to ensure that timely intervention is provided for the youths involved. SCs and SWOs are trained to use the Child Abuse Reporting Guide which was jointly developed by Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) and the Ministries with frontline staff working with children (e.g. Education, Health, Police).