Legislative framework to strengthen support for children with serious behavioural concerns

The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Welfare will introduce a new legislative framework to provide for the effective handling of cases involving children with serious behavioural concerns through early intervention, specialised care and structured rehabilitation measures.

The Ministry will convey instructions to the Attorney-General's Office for the drafting of the proposed legislation, which aims to establish a statutory framework for early and structured intervention in cases involving children with serious behavioural concerns. The legislation will also provide for applications for Parenting Support Interventions, judicial determination and oversight by the Children's Court, as well as community-based intervention where appropriate.

Where necessary, the proposed framework will provide for the placement of children in a specialised institution offering residential care and education. It will also require periodic reporting and case reviews to monitor the progress of each child and support their reintegration into their family setting and society through appropriate aftercare services.

The legislative framework will further provide for the establishment of an autonomous statutory body responsible for the management and administration of the specialised institution. The body will oversee the delivery of programmes and services designed to address the specific needs of children with serious behavioural concerns.

In addition, amendments will be brought to the Children's Act 2020 and other relevant legislation to ensure coherence within the legal framework. Regulations will also be developed to govern the operation of the specialised institution and address other operational matters.

04 August 2026

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Topics: Cabinet Decisions