Two new family service centres opening in Tengah and Bukit Panjang by 2027

SINGAPORE –  Two new family service centres (FSCs) are expected to open in Tengah and Bukit Panjang by 2027, bringing the total number of such community-based centres to 51.

The new centres are meant to meet the projected growth in demand for FSC services in these areas and to improve access to FSCs, a Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) spokeswoman told The Straits Times.

As at December 2025, there are 49 FSCs located islandwide. These centres provide families and individuals with social and emotional support.

The FSC in Tengah is the first such centre in the new estate, and it will be run by Thye Hua Kwan Moral Charities (THKMC), a social service agency.

The centre is expected to open in the last quarter of 2026, its spokeswoman said.

She added that people seek help from an FSC for various reasons, most commonly related to parenting and caregiving, family relationships, family violence, mental health and financial issues.

Overall, the FSCs handled nearly 26,600 casework cases and over 27,400 information and referral cases in MSF’s 2024 financial year, which ended on March 31, 2025.

In MSF’s 2023 financial year, there were about 28,200 casework cases and another 28,200 information and referral cases.

Casework cases refer to those where FSC staff work directly with clients to address their needs, while information and referral cases involve directing individuals to relevant social services and community resources.

THKMC currently runs five FSCs – in Bedok North, MacPherson, Tanjong Pagar, Bukit Panjang and Jurong.

Its spokeswoman said it is exploring how to use technology to better serve clients at its new Tengah FSC, and this may include using online tools to assess a person’s emotional well-being.

She added: “We are committed to understanding the needs of Tengah’s residents and tailoring our support to best serve its unique demographics.”

Fei Yue Community Services is opening the new FSC at Bukit Panjang, and it is expected to start operations in 2026 to 2027, its spokesperson said.

Fei Yue currently runs six FSCs, located in Bukit Batok, Choa Chu Kang, Champions Way in Woodlands, Taman Jurong and Yew Tee.

Meanwhile, Care Corner Singapore started its latest FSC in April 2025 in Punggol, which is operating out of an interim location at Block 616 Punggol Drive until its permanent site at Block 222 Sumang Lane is built.

Mr Martin Chok, deputy director of Care Corner family and community services, said the centre is expected to move to its permanent site by August 2026. The social service agency currently runs six FSCs, in Admiralty, Queenstown, Punggol, Toa Payoh, Tampines and Woodlands.

Mr Chok said issues related to family violence, parenting and mental health are among the most common reasons people seek help, and many families face multiple problems.

He cited a case of a man who sought emotional support after reaching breaking point. His wife had been crying and shouting frequently, and could not work or take care of their young children. He eventually quit his job to take care of his family.

Care Corner roped in other agencies to help the family, and the wife was eventually diagnosed with a mental illness. She is now faring better with medication, and the family is also receiving financial aid from the Government.

Mr Chok said: “We are also giving him counselling and a listening ear. And we check in on the safety of the children as well.”

Clare (not her real name), a 16-year-old student, has been seeing social workers at the THK Family Service Centre@Tanjong Pagar for the past four years. Her mother had taken her for counselling to address her anger issues.

She said: “I got angry easily, and I had to punch something like my bag or the wall. When I feel stressed or disrespected, I get angry... And I would get anxious. I couldn’t keep my friends, too, as they got upset with me.”

Over time, with counselling, Clare said she has been able to better manage her anger, communicate better with others and make more friends.

“Sometimes I feel I can’t share my thoughts with others as I’m scared they would judge me, or they wouldn’t understand me,” she said.

“I feel that counselling is good as I get to share my thoughts with my social worker, and she would help me to process what I’m going through better. She doesn’t want me to go back to being an angry person.”