IN SINGAPORE • Programme Evaluation
Helping Youths in Care Transition to Independence:
Research Partnership with Children's Aid Society
With housing stability, financial security and social support, youths ageing out of care can more successfully transition to independent living.
Around 500 children and adolescents in Singapore are in residential care due to abuse or neglect. While most eventually reintegrate with their families, those who are unable to would age out into independent living when they turn 21. This critical stage of transition in life could be especially daunting for these youths as they juggle education, finances, housing and other demands of independent living, with limited support.
To address this, Children’s Aid Society (CAS) launched the Thrive21+ pilot in 2022 to empower youths ageing out of care to become productive and responsible adults. Through a research collaboration with CAS, Quantedge Foundation conducted an evaluation of the pilot's Housing Programme component and analysed the local housing policy landscape to identify potential opportunities for improving housing access and support for these youths.
Thrive21+ aims to support youths’ transition into independent living by developing them in the areas of educational attainment, asset-building, employment, financial literacy and other life skills.
The Housing Programme is a key component of Thrive21+. With the support of social workers, the youths rent an apartment together, and co-pay the living expenses.
We partnered CAS to conduct a qualitative evaluation of the Housing Programme, to understand the housing needs of this group of youths and the impact of the Housing Programme on their development and transition out of care. At the same time, our study analysed potential opportunities to enhance our housing policies and sector practices to better support the housing needs of those who age out of care.
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"Money, housing and isolation the biggest struggles for youth leaving children’s homes: Study", 23 Jul 2025, The Straits Times