What is the Mandatory Parenting Programme (MPP) and Who is it For?
The Mandatory Parenting Programme (MPP) is a consultation session that is designed to help divorcing parents with children under 21 years of age understand the impact of a divorce on their children.
Through the MPP, it is hoped that divorcing parents will be better able to make informed decisions on the divorce that prioritise their children’s needs and well-being.
Who Conducts the MPP?
The MPP is a one-time, 2-hour consultation session conducted by counsellors from Divorce Support Specialist Agencies (DSSAs) that have been approved by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF).
The DSSAs were established to provide non-legal support to divorcing and divorced parents and their children. The staff at the DSSAs possess the knowledge and expertise to provide a range of services including counselling and family dispute management.
What Will the MPP Cover?
The session aims to help you understand:
The financial challenges of a divorce;
How divorce impacts living arrangements for your child;
Child custody and access; and
The importance of co-parenting and having a parenting plan
From December 2016 when the MPP was first implemented to December 2017, about 2,500 applicants have attended the sessions, and more than 95% of the participants have reported that they were better informed on the impact of a divorce on their children.
The MPP is not meant to dissuade you from commencing a divorce because the MSF recognises that your decision to divorce is a personal one.
However, if you are unsure whether getting a divorce is the best decision for yourself and your child, you may seek marriage counselling from the DSSA staff, who will make a professional assessment and offer you support accordingly.
Do I Need to Attend the MPP?
You are required to attend the MPP if you and your spouse:
Are unable to agree on the reason for divorce and/or ancillary matters; and
Have children below 21 years of age.
Otherwise, you will not be able to file for divorce (if you intend on commencing one) or file a counterclaim (if your spouse files for divorce).
You may also need to attend the MPP after divorce proceedings have been initiated if the court orders you to do so.
The court has the power at any stage in the divorce proceedings to order either or both you and your spouse to complete the MPP if it is in the interests of you and your child.
Can I be excused from attending the MPP?
Only a parent who lacks mental capacity within the meaning of the Mental Capacity Act can be excused from the MPP.
If you want to be excused from the MPP, please opt for an exclusion when applying for the MPP and refer to the instructions on the MPP portal for more details.
Must I attend the MPP personally?
You must personally attend the MPP.
Your friend(s) or lawyer (if you have engaged one) are not allowed to attend the MPP on your behalf. If you are currently stationed overseas, the DSSAs will make special arrangements for you to attend the MPP.
Do I have to attend the session with my spouse?
The MPP is a confidential one-on-one consultation with the counsellor. This means that you do not have to inform your spouse that you are attending the session or attend the session with your spouse.
Nonetheless, if you believe that attending the MPP with your spouse will be beneficial for the divorce and your child, you may email dssaprogrammes@msf.gov.sg with your request.
Can I attend the MPP even if I am not required to do so?
If you are not required to attend the MPP but you are interested in doing so, please email dssaprogrammes@msf.gov.sg to arrange for a session at one of the DSSAs.
Does the MPP Apply to a Muslim divorce?
The MPP does not apply to a Muslim divorce. However, if you intend to commence a Muslim divorce, you will need to attend counselling sessions under the Syariah Court’s Marriage Counselling Programme (MCP).
Refer to this brochure for more information on the MCP.
Do I Need to Engage a Lawyer for the MPP?
You do not need to engage a lawyer for the MPP. Even if you have engaged one, you need to personally attend the MPP (as mentioned above).
How Do I Apply to Attend the MPP?
Please visit the MSF website to check your eligibility and apply for the MPP. No documents are required, and you only need to provide your name and contact details when applying for the MPP.
There are also no payments involved as the MPP is provided free of charge.
After you apply, the MSF will process your application.
A DSSA counsellor will then contact you to schedule an appointment at one of the following DSSAs in Singapore: