The grant is under the purview of VCF Professional Capability Grant. For more information on VCF Grants, please visit their website.

[Urgent Announcement: Please be informed that the address for VCF webpage www.vcf.sg has been changed to www.ncss.gov.sg/vcf with immediate effect. Do visit us using this new address for VCF-related grants and announcements.]

The Sabbatical Leave Scheme is for social service professionals who are looking for an opportunity to recharge themselves and gain new perspectives and professional competencies to perform better.

If you’re a seasoned social service professional and looking for an opportunity to recharge yourself,  gain new perspectives and develop professional competencies that will empower you to perform better, then the Sabbatical Leave Scheme (SLS) is exactly what you need.

Designed for experienced social service professionals, the SLS is open to Social Workers, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Speech therapists, Psychologists, Counsellors and EIPIC teachers.

During your sabbatical leave period, you can engage in activities that will leave you primed for further career advancement, deliver a greater impact on the community and raise the standards in the social service sector.




^MSP is a non-contractual agreement to serve the service period within the current organisation.

#For sponsorships amounts between $10,000 and $30,000, the bond period will commence upon completion of the paid leave component. The MSP/bond period for the professional advancement sponsorship will be served with the MSP for the paid leave concurrently.


FAQs
For a list of commonly asked questions, please refer to our FAQ.
 

Courses, Courses, All social service organisations, Staff (NCSS Member VWO), Staff (MSF funded VWOs), NCSS, NCSS, Singaporean or Singapore PRs, Social Service, Payroll, Payroll, Social Service, Specialist training, Specialist training

To be eligible for the SLS, you must be one of the following:

• Social Workers registered with the Social Work Accreditation and Advisory Board
• Occupational therapists, Physiotherapists and Speech therapists with full/restricted registration with the Allied Health Professions Council
• Psychologists with Bachelor or Master Degree in Psychology
• Counsellors with qualifications recognised by the Singapore Association for Counselling
• EIPIC Teachers with Advanced Diploma in Early Childhood Intervention (Special Needs)

You must also meet the following criteria:

• possess at least five years of direct work experience in your respective professional field within the sector at the point of application
• working in a NCSS member organisation or Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF)-funded organisation
• not serving any bond currently

Requirements

In addition to serving a bond, you will be called upon to act as a mentor to junior social service professionals in their respective fields once you complete your sabbatical. You must also conduct a sharing session within your organisation and submit a written report to your employer and the National Council of Social Service.

Important Note:

• Late applications will NOT be processed and also NOT be automatically moved to the next window.
• Incomplete applications will NOT be processed.
• Please note that approval of applications is on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to budget availability. 

The application periods for the SLS programme are as follows:

 

Before applying, you are advised to discuss your proposed sabbatical plans with your current employer. All applications must be submitted through your employer to the following address:  

National Council of Social Service
170 Ghim Moh Road
#01-02
Singapore 279621
Attn: Ms Amelia Han (Executive)
Capability & Community Funding
Sector Strategy Group

Incomplete applications will not be considered. All applications will be evaluated by the selection panel. The decision of the panel is final. Late applications will NOT be processed and also NOT be automatically moved to the next window.

Download Application Form here

In view of the current COVID-19 situation, please access our e-services to minimise your time spent in public places. If you need to submit grant-related documents, please login to e-services (refer to Application Procedures above) or email/mail to the respective grant's contact person. Rest assured you will continue to receive quality service through our e-services.

Ms Ang Hui Zhen
Tel: 6210 2649
Email: ang_hui_zhen@ncss.gov.sg