Singapore currently reviewing screening framework for roles involving children and young persons

The government is considering whether to extend screening beyond regulated sectors, including through voluntary or certificate-based checks for tutors, coaches, and volunteers.

Singapore is considering expanding its screening framework for jobs involving contact with children and young persons, including whether voluntary screening could be introduced for roles in currently unregulated sectors.

The issue was raised in Parliament on 8 September 2026, with Members asking whether existing screening tools could be extended to private organisations and individuals working with children outside regulated settings. These include tutors, coaches, instructors, and volunteers who may have unsupervised access to minors.

Screening currently applies to regulated roles

Responding to the queries, Goh Pei Ming, Senior Minister of State for the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Social and Family Development, said individuals applying for roles involving sustained contact with children and young persons are currently screened for past offences, including convictions for sexual offences, where the roles are regulated by public agencies.

This includes individuals applying to be full-time mosque staff, recognised religious teachers under the Asatizah Recognition Scheme (ARS), employees in Ministry of Education (MOE) schools and preschools licensed by the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA), as well as members of SportSG's National Registry of Coaches.

The existing approach therefore covers several sectors where workers have regular and sustained contact with children.

However, there is currently no equivalent requirement across unregulated sectors.

No requirement for unregulated employers to check criminal records

Employers in unregulated sectors are not currently required to verify the criminal records of employees. They may, however, ask prospective employees to declare any past offences and take this information into consideration when making hiring decisions, Goh said.

The distinction has prompted questions over whether additional safeguards could be introduced for people working with children in settings outside the existing regulatory framework.

Members asked about possible screening for freelance tutors, coaches, volunteers and instructors involved in tuition, sports, arts and other enrichment programmes.

MPs propose voluntary screening options

Several Members proposed different ways to allow organisations and parents to verify whether individuals working with children have relevant past convictions, without requiring access to their full criminal histories.

Gerald Giam Yean Song asked whether the Government would consider a consent-based, pre-employment and self-voluntary vetting mechanism via SingPass.

Under the proposal, prospective instructors, coaches, tutors and volunteers could generate digital tokens that employers, religious organisations and parents could use to verify the absence of past child sexual offence convictions.

Dr Wan Rizal also asked whether a controlled screening facility could be introduced for roles involving unsupervised access to children, including at organisations such as mosques, madrasahs, self-help groups and community organisations.

Meanwhile, Joan Pereira proposed a voluntary screening or certificate-based system similar to the Singapore Police Force's Certificate of Clearance (COC), which could be used by people offering services in unregulated education and enrichment programmes.

Jackson Lam asked whether existing screening tools available to public agencies could be extended to private organisations, including tuition centres, sports academies and religious bodies.

Government considering wider screening for child-facing roles

With the expansion of the scope of screening being considered, it could soon cover more types of roles involving contact with children and young persons.

One possibility being considered is voluntary screening for unregulated sectors, potentially through a certificate-based system proposed in the queries.

SMS Goh added that the government is also assessing the practicality of introducing such requirements, including whether employers — particularly small and medium-sized enterprises would be able to manage the screening process.

"However, when it comes to these things, safety of our children will have to take priority," he affirmed. Further details will be shared when ready.

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