Building a Future-Ready and Resilient Social Service Sector

In today’s world, shaped by geopolitical uncertainties, economic volatility, and demographic trends, our resilience enables us to continue in the face of unprecedented challenges – to achieve greater impact and build a better future for all. While challenges persist, we see opportunities for the sector to be resilient through strengthened partnerships, the building up of organisational capabilities, and the strategic use of data.

Capability building

Capability building remains a core priority. To date, over 40 social service agencies (SSAs) have benefited from the Organisational Health Diagnostic Scheme (OHDS) which helps them understand how their people practices, technology adoption, and volunteer management can be improved to enhance service delivery. Over the past year, more than $7 million has been committed through the Transformation Sustainability Scheme (TSS) to support SSAs in strengthening capabilities to maximise impact. Allkin, for example, leveraged TSS to strengthen HR practices such as staff engagement and development to better meet future needs.

Deepening partnerships

As worldwide changes result in more complex social needs, no single agency can address them alone. Collective impact initiatives encourage the sector to strengthen collaborative efforts built around shared purpose for greater, more meaningful impact.

In a recent landmark collaboration led by NCSS, together with Montfort Care, Fei Yue Community Services, and Yong-en Care Centre, JiaYou Centre was established in Chinatown Point to provide seniors and caregivers with access to integrated support.

JiaYou Centre serves as a one-stop support hub for seniors and caregivers.

In response to the growing number of youths facing mental health challenges, NCSS also developed grovve, Singapore’s first integrated wellness centre for youths and caregivers, with a collective of stakeholders including youths from ground-up youth group d.Well, the Institute of Mental Health, Agency of Integrated Care, MOH Office for Healthcare Transformation, and SSAs like SHINE Children and Youth Services, TOUCH Community Services, Brahm Centre and Limitless Ltd.

grovve, Singapore’s first integrated wellness centre for youths and caregivers.

Cross-sector collaboration with corporates and social enterprises brings fresh perspectives, innovation, and resources. These partnerships enrich our ecosystem and drive more sustainable solutions.

Data-driven approach

Data and evidence-based practices are essential for identifying priorities and designing strategies to enhance future readiness. The launch of the Insights to Impact (i2i) series brings together experts to provide actionable insights and foster discussions that strengthen the sector’s ability to meet evolving social needs.

NCSS President Anita Fam at the Inaugural Insights to Impact Seminar with Professor Martin Knapp.

In partnership with Tote Board, NCSS set up the Centre for Evidence to promote the sector’s adoption of the Sector Evaluation Framework. This enables SSAs to continuously assess outcome data to improve their programme effectiveness and supports donors in making informed decisions about the impact of different programmes.

A giving culture

The sector continues to be supported by a strong culture of giving. In the past year, corporate and community donors generously gave to the Community Chest and President’s Challenge over $73 million and more than $14 million respectively. Over 40 businesses have joined the Sustainable Philanthropy Framework Early Adopter Programme, reflecting a growing commitment to better measure and articulate their social impact.

NCSS Act amendments

Upcoming amendments to the NCSS Act will reinforce our role as a sector developer, strengthening our mandate to build capabilities and ensuring the sector’s ability to respond to evolving social needs.

This positions us to better support SSAs in delivering sustainable, high-impact services for years to come.