Cross-agency Sharing of Data to Prompt Follow-up by Child Protection Services on Potential Child Abuse or Neglect Cases

Mr David Hoe asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) whether formal cross-agency triggers such as chronic absenteeism, polyclinic or hospital visits, and caregiver incarceration will automatically prompt follow-up by Child Protection Services for potential child abuse/neglect cases; (b) whether non-ad hoc coordination or data-sharing arrangements exist between the Ministry and other agencies to support such triggers; and (c) if not, whether the Ministry will consider establishing them.

Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M: The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) has established different processes with schools, hospitals and law enforcement agencies, customised to their operating environment, to pick up possible cases of child abuse or neglect.

For Ministry of Education Schools, staff are trained to use the Education Sector-Specific Screening Guide to assess suspected cases of child abuse or neglect. As absenteeism can arise from other factors besides child abuse or neglect, the school will first contact the family and conduct home visits to check on the student's well-being. Teachers also monitor student welfare during daily interactions. School personnel also use the Child Abuse Reporting Guide to assess cases. Where required, they will make a report to the National Anti-Violence and Sexual Harassment Helpline (NAVH).

When hospitals identify non-accidental injuries and suspect child abuse or neglect, their protocols require them to lodge a Police report and alert the medical social worker, who will report the case to NAVH. When law enforcement agencies like the Singapore Police Force or Central Narcotics Bureau encounter young children affected by the arrest of family members, officers will refer them to NAVH if there is no available caregiver or if there are concerns of abuse or neglect.

MSF currently shares and has data sharing arrangements with various agencies. It will continually assess whether data alerts and triggers will on balance, provide a more effective response. Where they can do so, MSF will work with agencies to implement them.