/akn/sg/act/sub_leg/1989/DPA-R1
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Destitute Persons (Welfare Homes) Rules is Singapore Subsidiary Legislation, cited as Subsidiary Legislation DPA-R1 1989, currently marked in force and first recorded in 1989.
Part V
Definition of care-person
In this Part, “care-person” means a relative or friend of a destitute person willing and able, in the opinion of the Director-General, to provide care and support for the destitute person.
Discharge from welfare home
The Director-General may on the advice of the Committee for a welfare home order the discharge of a resident from the welfare home either conditionally or unconditionally.
A discharge under paragraph (1) may be a discharge to the care of a care-person upon the care-person’s execution of a bond in such form as the Director-General may determine.
Supervision of discharged persons
A person discharged under rule 26, whether or not to the care of a care-person, may, at the discretion of the Director-General, be placed under the general supervision of a welfare officer or any person appointed by the Director-General.
Order of discharge
An order of discharge shall be in such form as the Director-General may determine.
Recall of destitute person to welfare home
If it appears to the Director-General that any condition of discharge of a destitute person has been infringed or not complied with, the Director-General may rescind the order of discharge and recall the destitute person to a welfare home to be detained, and shall inform the Committee for the welfare home of the circumstances leading to the recall at its next meeting.
Discharge to be in accordance with Act
No resident shall be discharged from a welfare home unless the discharge is in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
Citation
These Rules may be cited as the Destitute Persons (Welfare Homes) Rules.
Functions
A Review Committee appointed under section 10 of the Act (called in these Rules the Committee) for a welfare home shall —
review the case of every resident in the welfare home at intervals of not more than 12 months to assess his suitability for discharge from the welfare home;
ensure that every resident is given the opportunity to rehabilitate and prepare himself for eventual discharge;
review the progress made by those who have been placed under the general supervision and care of a welfare officer or any person appointed by the Director-General under rule 27; and
when necessary, direct that any information furnished to or obtained by the Committee be given to the Director-General.
Tenure of office
Members of the Committee are appointed for the period specified by the Minister.
Members may at any time be removed from office by the Minister, and they may at any time resign from their office after giving notice in writing addressed to the Minister.
In this rule, “Minister” includes any Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Social and Family Development.
Quorum
No business shall be transacted at any meeting of the Committee unless 3 or more members of the Committee are present.
Persons who shall reside in welfare homes
No person shall reside in a welfare home unless he has been admitted in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
The person-in-charge of a welfare home shall admit into the welfare home under his charge any person who is referred to him by the Director-General pursuant to section 3(2) of the Act.
A warrant by the Director-General under section 3(4) of the Act requiring a person to reside in a welfare home shall be in such form as the Director-General may determine.
Procedure in case of person voluntarily seeking admission into welfare home
Every person voluntarily seeking admission into a welfare home shall make an application in writing to the Director-General who shall cause an investigation to be made into the mode of life and antecedents of such person to ascertain whether such person is a destitute person.
If after making such investigation the Director-General is satisfied that such person is a destitute person within the meaning of the Act, he shall require the person to undertake in writing that, if admitted, he will abide by the conditions of admission imposed under the Act or any rules made thereunder.
Every written undertaking shall be sufficient authority for the person-in-charge of a welfare home to admit the destitute person concerned into the welfare home.
Rehabilitative training
Residents may, subject to the recommendation of the medical officer, be encouraged to undergo a suitable form of rehabilitative training within the welfare home.
Residents undergoing rehabilitative training may be paid remuneration in respect of the training at such rate as may from time to time be determined by the person-in-charge of the welfare home.
Production of goods by residents
Arrangements shall be made for the sale of the goods produced by residents and remuneration may be paid to residents in respect of the goods at such rate as may from time to time be determined by the person-in-charge of the welfare home.
Granting of leave for employment
The person-in-charge of a welfare home may grant a resident of the welfare home leave for employment.
A resident who has been granted leave under paragraph (1) —
shall not leave the welfare home without the approval of the officer on duty;
shall not be absent from his work without good cause;
shall return to the welfare home immediately after completing his work for the day and report to the officer on duty;
shall not consume, or have in his possession, any drug or alcoholic drinks; and
shall not behave in a disorderly manner at his work-place.
Residents not to solicit for food, clothing, money, etc.
Residents shall not be allowed to solicit food, clothing or money, either within or outside the welfare home.
Residents not to leave welfare home
Residents shall not be allowed to leave the welfare home except for purposes approved by the person-in-charge of the welfare home.
Absence for more than 24 hours
Where a resident has been absent from a welfare home without authority for more than 24 hours, the person-in-charge of the welfare home shall report the absence to the nearest police station and to the Director-General.