IMPROVEMENTS IN CHILD PROTECTION WORK
On the new social services coordination centre, Mr Lee said the centre will use technology to help the ministry “better detect, sense-make and connect the dots” for cases from different “touchpoints”, such as the social services, education, pre-school, community and other sectors.
The new social services coordination centre will also provide “tighter links” to the police’s operations, Mr Lee added.
Today, child protection case management agencies have to lodge a police report within 24 hours and concurrently alert the Protective Service. Cases are also reported to the police within 24 hours.
Since May 2025, child and adult protective services have merged under MSF’s Protective Service, which provides statutory intervention for children, vulnerable adults experiencing abuse, neglect or self-neglect, and egregious cases of family violence with imminent danger.
“When a case of suspected child abuse is reported to the police, the police will assess the case based on the facts and circumstances,” Mr Lee said.
“For cases assessed as higher risk, for example, involving serious physical harm or sexual abuse, the police will immediately intervene to ensure the child’s safety.”
Protective Service will keep a close watch on missing children reports made to the police by case agencies and work closely with the police.
Apart from conducting investigations when the police come across a case of suspected child abuse, they will also inform MSF for safety planning and social intervention, Mr Lee said.
In a bid to boost capabilities of frontline practitioners, Mr Lee said the ministry will continue to manage practitioner workload and ensure social workers are adequately resourced.
