2025年2月18日，新加坡社會及家庭發展部長馬善高在國會書面答覆蔡厝港集選區議員周凱年關於鼓勵更多家庭成為寄養父母的措施與挑戰的口頭質詢。
以下內容為新加坡眼根據國會英文資料翻譯整理：
周凱年（蔡厝港集選區議員）詢問社會及家庭發展部長：
（a）為鼓勵更多合適家庭擔任寄養父母採取了哪些措施？
（b）阻礙更多人登記成為寄養父母的挑戰有哪些？
馬善高（社會及家庭發展部長）：社會及家庭發展部致力為更多由國家監護的兒童安排寄養家庭，因為安全穩定的家庭環境是兒童成長和適應能力的關鍵。我們已實施多項措施，鼓勵更多合適的家庭參與寄養：
第一，通過媒體、社區組織、宗教團體和企業夥伴加強公眾對寄養服務的認知，重點宣傳寄養對困境兒童的深遠影響。年度寄養開放日（Annual Fostering Open House）讓准寄養父母親自聆聽寄養家庭和兒童的感言。
第二，通過五家指定寄養機構（Fostering Agencies）提供全方位支持：寄養父母可獲得專業培訓、專屬社工指導、每月津貼（2022年上調至普通兒童1100元/特殊需求兒童1500元），並享有育嬰假權益。寄養兒童還可獲得醫療、托育等額外補貼。寄養家庭數量已從2021年的595戶增至2023年的614戶。
儘管做出了這些努力，但在招募更多寄養父母方面仍面臨挑戰。常見的問題包括：是否有足夠的時間和資源來滿足寄養兒童的需要、家庭成員與寄養兒童之間可能產生的衝突，以及兒童回到親生家庭後在情感上遇到的困難。社會及家庭發展部正在解決這些問題。例如，我們開發了寄養入門工具包（Fostering Starter Kit），讓父母和其他家庭成員為接收寄養兒童做好更充分的準備。到了寄養兒童與家庭分離的時候，過渡過程會按部就班地進行，寄養服務工作者會與寄養父母密切合作，在必要時提供輔導和情感支持。
寄養家庭為寄養兒童提供了一個安全的環境，讓他們終生受益。我們鼓勵更多家庭加入我們，成為寄養父母。
以下是英文質詢內容：
Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) what are the measures that the Ministry has taken to encourage more suitable families to act as foster parents; and (b) what are the challenges that inhibit greater enrolment of foster parents.
Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M: The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) seeks to place more children in state care with foster parents as a safe and stable home environment is key to their growth and resilience. We have implemented several measures to encourage more suitable families to foster children.
First, we collaborate with media outlets, community organisations, religious groups and corporate partners to raise awareness of fostering and highlight its positive, lasting impact on children from difficult backgrounds. A key initiative is the Annual Fostering Open House, where prospective foster parents hear first-hand testimonials from foster families and children.
MSF supports foster parents through our five appointed Fostering Agencies. Foster parents receive training on caring for foster children; receive support and guidance from designated foster care worker; an allowance to help defray out-of-pocket costs; and are eligible for childcare leave to help them balance caregiving responsibilities. In 2022, MSF increased the monthly fostering allowance to $1,100 per child and $1,500 for a child with special needs. Foster children also receive additional subsidies for healthcare, childcare and student care. We have seen an increase in the number of foster families from 595 families in 2021 to 614 families in 2023.
Despite these efforts, there are challenges in recruiting more foster parents. Common concerns include having sufficient time and resources to meet the needs of a foster child, potential conflicts that may arise between family members and foster children, and the emotional difficulty when children return to their birth families. MSF is addressing these concerns. For example, we developed a Fostering Starter Kit to better prepare parents and other family members to receive the foster child. When it is time for the foster child to part with the family, the transition process is paced and the Foster Care Workers work closely with foster parents to provide counselling and emotional support where necessary.
The benefits of being cared for by foster families who provide a secure environment lasts a lifetime for the foster children from difficult backgrounds. We encourage more families to join us as foster parents.
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