Debated in Parliament on 14 Jan 2013.
Ms Irene Ng Phek Hoong asked the Acting Minister for Social and Family Development (a) what is the number of Singaporean children in foster care homes, children's homes and orphanages in Singapore who are currently eligible and hoping for adoption; and (b) what are the measures in place, if any, to promote adoption in Singapore.
Children who are unable to remain with their families for various reasons are placed in foster care or in children's homes on a temporary basis. Between 2007 and 2011, about 750 children were placed in foster care or admitted into children’s homes.
Efforts will be made to first reintegrate these children back with their parents or extended families. Where reintegration is not in the best interest of the child, such as where there are serious risks to their safety and well-being, alternative care arrangements, including adoption will be explored. Adoption is also considered for children who were abandoned or where their family could not be traced. The number of children in foster care and children's homes who are adopted yearly is small. Between 2007 and 2011, 37 of such children were adopted.
Adoption is a lifelong commitment and adopters must be suitable and also prepared to undertake the responsibilities and challenges in adopting and raising a child. Pre-adoption briefings are provided to prospective adopters so that they can make an informed decision. Where couples have decided on adoption, we facilitate the process and, at the same time, undertake the necessary measures to establish the suitability of the adoptive parents and that adoption by the prospective adopters would be in the child's best interest in the long term.
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