[BCM] [CAS] [E1] [C2] Understanding Your Organisation

Chapter 2

The Children’s Aid Society

As part of ISO 22301 requirements for business continuity management (BCM), organisations must have a clear understanding of their structure, mission, services, and operating environment.

This foundational knowledge ensures that BCM efforts align with the organisation’s core objectives and safeguard its ability to continue serving stakeholders during times of disruption.

For the Children’s Aid Society (CAS), this understanding is especially vital given its role as a long-standing provider of care, protection, and support to vulnerable children, youths, and families in Singapore.

Organisational Overview

Founded in 1902, the Children’s Aid Society is one of Singapore’s oldest secular philanthropic institutions.

Over the years, CAS has evolved from providing shelter for orphans to becoming a holistic service provider supporting children and families in crisis.

Today, its flagship service, Melrose Home, offers residential care and support to vulnerable children and youths who have experienced neglect, abuse, or familial difficulties.

Complementing this, CAS also delivers counselling, family services, and community engagement initiatives to address the broader needs of at-risk individuals.

The organisation is governed by a Board of Directors, supported by professional staff and volunteers committed to its mission of nurturing and empowering children and families in need.

CAS’s work is guided by values of compassion, resilience, and service, ensuring that every child has a safe and supportive environment to thrive.

Mission, Vision, and Core Values

• Mission: To nurture and empower children, youths, and families in need by providing care, protection, and developmental opportunities.
• Vision: To be a trusted institution that transforms lives through compassionate care and support for vulnerable communities.
• Core Values: Compassion, Integrity, Resilience, and Commitment to Service.

These guiding principles form the basis for BCM implementation, ensuring that continuity strategies reinforce the organisation’s commitment to safeguarding vulnerable groups even during times of disruption.

Key Services and Stakeholders

The Children’s Aid Society delivers a range of services that are essential to its stakeholders, which include children, families, staff, volunteers, donors, and regulatory bodies. Core services include:

1. Residential Care (Melrose Home) – Providing safe housing, education support, counselling, and developmental programmes for children and youths.
2. Family and Counselling Services – Offering professional intervention and therapy for families in crisis.
3. Community Engagement – Strengthening public awareness and involvement in child protection and welfare issues.
4. Volunteer and Donor Engagement – Building strong networks of community support and sustainable funding.

Disruption to any of these services could significantly impact CAS’s ability to meet its mission, making BCM a critical enabler of organisational resilience.

External and Internal Context

ISO 22301 requires organisations to assess both internal and external factors that may affect continuity. For CAS, these include:

External Context

• Regulatory requirements from the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) and other authorities.
• Expectations from donors, sponsors, and partners for transparency and accountability.
• Emerging social challenges, such as rising cases of child neglect and family breakdowns.
• Public trust and reputation as a leading charitable institution.

Internal Context

• Dependence on trained staff and volunteers for service delivery.
• Limited resources are typical of non-profit organisations.
• Reliance on donor funding and grants to sustain operations.
• Strong organisational culture of care and resilience that underpins service delivery.

Importance of BCM Alignment

By understanding its organisational structure and operating environment, CAS can ensure that its BCM strategies align with its core mission and stakeholder expectations.

BCM does not merely safeguard operational processes; it protects the welfare and well-being of vulnerable children who depend on CAS for stability and care.

Thus, effective BCM implementation strengthens the organisation’s ability to respond to crises, sustain critical services, and maintain stakeholder confidence.

Summing Up …

Understanding the Children’s Aid Society is the first step in implementing ISO 22301-aligned business continuity practices.

With over a century of service in caring for vulnerable children and families, CAS carries a unique responsibility to ensure that disruptions do not compromise its mission.

By embedding BCM into its organisational framework, CAS reaffirms its resilience and commitment to providing uninterrupted care, even in the face of adversity.

Resilience in Service: BCM Implementation for Children’s Aid Society
eBook 1: Understanding Your Organisation
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