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4ST: Roadmap for the Social Service Sector 2022-2026

Playbook

Every stakeholder in the ecosystem has a role to play to lead the desired changes to bring our sector forward.

The 4ST Playbook lists the concrete steps, as well as examples and ideas that different stakeholders can explore to bring the refreshed 4ST forward.  

Underlying these actions, it is important for us to cultivate the right mindsets, and be prepared to continuously learn, unlearn, and reposition ourselves to operate within changes and new possibilities. This includes making better use of data and technology, and planning for the longer-term. Leaders too play a crucial role in guiding their organisations through such initiatives by exemplifying these behaviours and shaping organisational culture. The Playbook content is not meant to be exhaustive and will be updated over time as ideas and efforts materialise. We welcome you to contribute any ideas and examples to enrich the content of the Playbook. Do write to us at planning@ncss.gov.sg.


Please download and open the Playbook PDFs in Adobe Acrobat Reader for the best results.

4ST Playbook (Full)

View 4ST Playbook (Full)

icon Thrust 1: Empowered and included individuals, families, and communities

  • Focuses on individuals, families and communities – the target groups whose quality of life will improve as a result of actions taken across the four strategic thrusts.
  • Our goal for this thrust is to empower these target groups and create a society where they are included.

Outcomes

You may explore the playbook segments by clicking on each outcome below.
Practices and solutions in the sector become more person-centred Practices and solutions in the sector become more person-centred
Vulnerable groups have support to make well-informed decisions on how their needs and aspirations are met Vulnerable groups have support to make well-informed decisions on how their needs and aspirations are met
The ecosystem leverages the assets of individuals, families, and communities to solve social challenges The ecosystem leverages the assets of individuals, families, and communities to solve social challenges

Please refer to "Thrust 3: Strategic and sustainable partnerships are fostered between different sectors and stakeholders for greater impact" for additional tips to actualise this outcome
More vulnerable people are included and participate in society More vulnerable people are included and participate in society

icon Thrust 2: Effective and impactful social purpose entities

  • Focuses on strengthening social purpose entities (SPEs) as channels to empower the individuals, families and communities referred to in Thrust 1 – helping them to gain relevant skills, perspectives, and resources for economic and social inclusion.
  • Recognises that SPEs can shape the ecosystems they are involved in through their actions.
  • Our goal for this thrust is to build effective and impactful SPEs by strengthening their organisational capability and capacity, so that in turn, they can generate more social impact.

Outcomes

You may explore the playbook segments by clicking on each outcome below.
SPEs serve with heart and demonstrate professionalism across all levels, backed by robust governance and strong people practices SPEs serve with heart and demonstrate professionalism across all levels, backed by robust governance and strong people practices
SPEs are forward thinking and practice sustainable resourcing SPEs are forward thinking and practice sustainable resourcing

Please refer to "Thrust 4: The social service sector is well-positioned for the future" for info on how SPEs can be forward thinking.
SPEs collaborate across the sector and beyond to optimise resources and enhance effectiveness SPEs collaborate across the sector and beyond to optimise resources and enhance effectiveness

icon Thrust 3: Caring, collaborative, and impactful social service ecosystem

  • Highlights the role of the social service ecosystem in driving and supporting Thrusts 1 and 2, and the need to work together to deliver impactful and holistic support to individuals, families and communities effectively and efficiently.
  • Our goals for this thrust are to generate greater social impact through strategic and longer-term partnerships, and to find more diverse and sustainable ways of fulfilling our missions, underscored by taking a systems approach in what we do.

Outcomes

You may explore the playbook segments by clicking on each outcome below.
Strategic and sustainable partnerships are fostered between different sectors and stakeholders for greater impact Strategic and sustainable partnerships are fostered between different sectors and stakeholders for greater impact
Improved diversity and sustainability of resources in the sector Improved diversity and sustainability of resources in the sector
Sector players take a systems approach to deliver quality, innovative & sustainable solutions and advance sector goals Sector players take a systems approach to deliver quality, innovative & sustainable solutions and advance sector goals

icon Thrust 4: Future-directed social service sector

  • Focuses on the need to be future-directed to transform our sector.
  • Our intention is for the efforts under this thrust to help the other thrusts move forward so that ultimately, we can achieve our 4ST vision.

Outcomes

You may explore the playbook segments by clicking on each outcome below.
The social service sector experiments to develop quality, innovative & sustainable solutions The social service sector experiments to develop quality, innovative & sustainable solutions
The social service sector is well-positioned for the future The social service sector is well-positioned for the future
A digitally-enabled and data-driven social service sector A digitally-enabled and data-driven social service sector
In support of:
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Are part of NCSS
National Council of Social Service

© 2023 Government of Singapore

Last Updated 14 February 2023