At your family guidance order application hearing

Arriving in court for your hearing

On the day of your family guidance order (FGO) application hearing, you should:

• Arrive early and find your way to the venue.
  • Refer to the building directory for more information.
• Confirm your case is heard in the venue you are about to enter. Inform the court officer before entering, if applicable.
• Dress neatly and decently when attending court.
  • Refer to the visitors' guide for the dress code.
• Speak and conduct yourself in a courteous manner.
  

What to expect

Order to attend counselling/family programme

At your FGO application hearing, the judge may order you and your child to attend or complete a family programme.

Care Conference

A court family specialist from FJC’s Counselling and Psychological Services (CAPS) may facilitate a Care Conference as part of the therapeutic intervention process. This structured dialogue provides a safe space for you and your family to openly discuss your concerns and work towards addressing strained relationships as far as possible, and aims to establish a constructive foundation for the family programme(s) that you and your child are to embark upon. The Care Conference enables you and your family to develop a deeper understanding of your child’s perspective and needs, thereby enhancing your capacity to support your child going forward.

Other adults involved in your child’s life (e.g. school teachers, sports coach, discipline master, school counsellor, godparent, etc.) may also be invited to the Care Conference if it is helpful or necessary in working together to finding ways to support your child in his or her growth.

School Reintegration Network (SRN)

If your child did not go to school regularly before the FGO application was filed, the Youth Courts may, through the SRN, activate the school’s student welfare officer or a suitable school staff to work with the Family Guidance Programme officers or case workers to make arrangements for your child to be reintegrated in a school setting. The Youth Courts may also make a referral to the SRN to ensure that your child is attending school regularly, before granting you permission to withdraw your FGO application.

Social Report

The judge may also call for a social report on your child to be prepared before deciding on a suitable FGO. While the report is being prepared, your child may be ordered to stay with a fit person or in a place of safety.

After the social report has been submitted to the court, the judge will consider the contents of the social report and discuss the case with two panel advisers. These panel advisors are individuals in the community who are:

• Appointed by the President of Singapore.
• Have vast work experience with children and young persons.

Once satisfied that the requirements for an FGO are met, the court may make the FGO. Find out about the FGOs the court may make.

If you intend to withdraw your FGO application although progress at the family programme was poor, a Care Conference may be conducted by the court family specialist to guide you through a thorough evaluation of the implications of withdrawal, and whether withdrawing the proceedings would serve the long-term interests and welfare of your child. 

The judge may also require you and your child to complete a Visionary Map and/or written Promise for Change. The Visionary Map is a series of guided questions that serve as a tool for reflection. The written Promise for Change is a voluntary written statement by the child, setting out his or her commitment to behavioural change through concrete, measurable actions. These are tools to encourage identification of underlying issues and promote the long-term development and well-being of the child through his or her committing to concrete action towards the expressed goals.

How you can help your child

Going through the steps as stated in an FGO can be a stressful experience for you and your child. As your relationship with your child may be affected, you may take the following steps to guide your child through this period:

• Ensure your child follows the orders stated in the FGO as his or her progress depends on this.
• Cooperate with your child’s case worker so that the case worker can help your child.
• Attend counselling so that you can tackle difficult issues together as a family.
• Attend parenting workshops to improve the way you interact with your child.
• Be sensitive to your child’s needs by listening to your child’s concerns with an open mind.

Resources